How much sleep do epileptics need?

People with epilepsy should get adequate sleep - enough to feel refreshed the next day. In general, adults should try for at least 7-8 hours a night. Going to bed late (for example, 3 a.m. instead of 11 p.m.) can be compensated for by sleeping late (10 a.m. instead of 6 a.m.) and thereby avoiding sleep deprivation.

How many hours of sleep should someone with epilepsy get?

Some people do well on 5 hours a night, others need 8 to 10 hours or more. In general, at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night is considered good, but the quality of sleep also needs to be considered.

Do epileptics sleep more?

Epilepsy can worsen your ability to sleep and can also make existing sleep disorders worse. Some of the drugs used to treat epilepsy may also affect sleep. Some seizure medicines may make people more sleepy. Others may lead to problems falling or staying asleep.

Why do epileptics need more sleep?

Having a good night's sleep helps our brains to recover from the day's events, so that we can function well the next day. For some people with epilepsy a lack of sleep can make seizures more likely to happen, for others having seizures at night can make them feel tired during the day.

Can epilepsy make you tired all the time?

Epilepsy patients frequently complain of fatigue. Fatigue is the mental and/or physical experience of extreme and persistent tiredness, weakness, or exhaustion [1]. The complaint of fatigue is more common in epilepsy patients than in the general population according to a population-based study [2].

Sleep and Epilepsy (Wellness Institute Whiteboard Video Series)

Is epilepsy a disability?

Is Epilepsy Considered A Disability? Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing. There are different listings for epilepsy in the Blue Book.

Can too much sleep cause seizures?

Epileptic Seizures While Sleeping

Excessive or hyper synchronization may lead to seizures. Another hypothesis relates to physiological changes associated with circadian rhythms and melatonin production. Several common epilepsy syndromes involve seizures that occur during sleep.

Can I work nights with epilepsy?

People with epilepsy may need to avoid working night shifts as the significant loss or disruption to sleep can trigger seizures. If you are affected by insomnia or another sleep disorder, ask your doctor for advice because improved sleep could make a difference to seizure control.

Should you let someone sleep after a seizure?

After the seizure: they may feel tired and want to sleep. It might be helpful to remind them where they are. stay with them until they recover and can safely return to what they had been doing before.

Are weighted blankets good for epilepsy?

Weighted blankets can provide comfort and the ability to sleep for many people with sensory disorders which often accompany seizures and epilepsy, A weighted blanket is designed to incorporate deep pressure touch to create the same sensation as a loving touch, or a hug that makes you feel relaxed and calm.

Does diet affect epilepsy?

Studies dating back to the 1920s have shown that diet can improve seizure control in people who have epilepsy. Although these studies are based on a strict diet called the ketogenic diet, recent evidence has shown that less restrictive diets may also be helpful.

What causes sudden death in epilepsy?

A seizure may cause a person to have pauses in breathing (apnea). If these pauses last too long, they can reduce the oxygen in the blood to a life-threatening level. In addition, during a convulsive seizure a person's airway sometimes may get covered or obstructed, leading to suffocation.

Can a seizure wake you up from sleep?

Nocturnal seizures are seizures that happen while a person is asleep. They can cause unusual nighttime behavior, such as waking for no reason or urinating while sleeping, as well as jerking and shaking of the body. Nocturnal seizures are usually a type of seizure called a tonic-clonic seizure.

Why do seizures only happen at night?

It's believed that sleep seizures are triggered by changes in the electrical activity in your brain during certain stages of sleeping and waking. Nighttime seizures occur most often in the early morning around 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. and occur least often shortly after falling asleep.

Is milk good for epilepsy?

Among different foods which may trigger the seizure occurrence, dairy products are major concerns because of excess use of a variety of them in dairy diet and several studies demonstrated cow's milk protein allergy which may induce epilepsy [7].

How long can a seizure last before brain damage?

If convulsive status epilepticus lasts for 30 minutes or longer it can cause permanent brain damage or even death.

Can you feel a seizure coming on?

A Déjà vu feeling (you feel like you are experiencing something that has occurred before) Intense fear and panic. 'Pins and needles' sensation in certain parts of your body. Jerky movements in of the arm, leg, or body.

What jobs can I not do with epilepsy?

People with epilepsy are successfully employed in a variety of jobs that might be considered high-risk: police officer, firefighter, welder, butcher, construction worker, etc. Epilepsy is a highly variable disorder and it is difficult to generalize about safety issues.

Do you have to declare epilepsy to employer?

If your epilepsy could cause a health or safety risk to you or anybody else, you must tell your employer about it. This is the law.

Can you get fired for having epilepsy?

You cannot be fired for having epilepsy. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the employment of a qualified individual with a disability who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Is it normal to sleep all day after a seizure?

You may be tired or sleepy after the seizure. This is called the postictal period.

How do you know if you had a seizure while sleeping?

Signs you had a seizure in your sleep

Waking up with bruises that were not there before. Feeling confused or having a headache the next morning. Wetting the bed. Bed sheets tangled or thrown on the floor.

Can epileptics donate blood?

Throughout the world people who have epilepsy and seizures are prohibited from donating blood. These restrictions are based on the assumption that they are prone to adverse donor reactions, specifically, syncope and convulsions. We describe a study evaluating whether that concern is warranted.

What foods should you avoid if you have epilepsy?

white bread; non-wholegrain cereals; biscuits and cakes; honey; high-sugar drinks and foods; fruit juices; chips; mashed potatoes; parsnips; dates and watermelon. In general, processed or overcooked foods and over-ripe fruits.

What breed of dog can detect seizures?

Breeds with this ability included Golden Retriever, Standard Poodle, German Shepherd, Akita, Rough Collie, Rottweiler, Cairn Terrier, Great Pyrenees, and one mixed breed dog. Dogs acquired this ability after about one month with the family -- generally with the first seizure the dog witnessed.