Epilepsy is a condition in which the electrical activity of the brain fires out of control, causing seizures. The seizures can be brief and hardly noticeable or severe and lasting for a few minutes. There are several kinds of epileptic seizures, including those that occur while your are asleep. It is believed that they are triggered as the brain goes through the various sleep cycles such as REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep. It will be important for your physician to conduct the proper tests to see if you are having seizures in your sleep so he or she can start you on the right treatment program. Sleep-related seizures can cause a variety of symptoms.
Fatigue
If you have epileptic seizures during the night, you will develop many of the same symptoms as someone with insomnia. The National Sleep Foundation states that you may be excessively tired during the day and will have trouble concentrating. Most patients with insomnia know that they have it, but with epilepsy, you may be completely unaware that a seizure has occurred and not be able to trace the reason for your fatigue.
Additional Seizures
Sleep deprivation can trigger more epileptic seizures during the day. If you continue for long periods without treatment, your seizures during both day and at night may become more frequent.
Restless Sleep
If you have a seizure at night, you may thrash around in bed with jerking motions and then wake up fatigued and confused, with a headache.
Muscle Weakness
The fatigue associated with sleep disturbed by epilepsy can lead to muscle weakness and or stiffness. You may find it difficult to coordinate movement and maintain balance. In some cases the muscle weakness lasts for a day or two, a condition called Todd's paralysis.
