Nocturnal Seizures
What are Nocturnal Seizures?
Nocturnal, or sleep-related, seizures cause abnormal movement or behavior while sleeping. Activity ranges from awakening from sleep for no clear reason, to violent arm and leg movement, tongue-biting, and urination.
Nocturnal seizures frequently occur in people who experience epileptic seizures during the day, but may also occur only at night.
EISC sleep medicine specialist Dr. Andrew C. Peterson explains:
How are nocturnal seizures diagnosed?
In order to diagnose nocturnal seizures, your doctor may recommend a polysomnogram (sleep study).
What treatment options are available?
The most common way of treating nocturnal seizures is with medication.
Learn more about nocturnal seizures
- National Sleep Foundation: Epilepsy and Sleep
- Epilepsy Action: Nocturnal Seizures - Seizures During Sleep
- Columbia University School of Medicine: Nocturnal Seizures (PDF)
Questions? Contact the Eastern Iowa Sleep Center today.
