Nocturnal epilepsy is a seizure disorder in which seizure occur only while sleeping. Any form of epilepsy may occur during sleep, but some types of epilepsy are more likely to be restricted exclusively to sleep. These are sometimes called Nocturnal Seizures. Some people have seizures occur only during sleep while others have both daytime and nocturnal seizures. Studies have shown that 10 - 45% of people with epilepsy have seizures that occur predominantly or exclusively during sleep or occur with sleep deprivation.
Triggers (the most common causes of epilepsy)
- Infections affecting the brain
- Head injuries
- By reading
- Photo sensitivity
- Missed medication
- Hyperventilation State (over breathing State)
- Alcohol
- Drug abuse
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines and other stimulants
- Marijuana
- Heroin
- Nicotine and caffeine
- Cigarette
- Tumors in Brain
- Inherited conditions
- Prolong illness
- Eating Disorder
- Iron deficiency
- Emotional stress/Stress
- Sleep deprivation
- Sleep itself
- Stress
- Febrile illness
- Menstrual cycle
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Severe changes in temperature
- Anemia
- Over the counter medicine
- Birth defects in brain.
- Brain tumors
- Low levels of Minerals in body
- Depression
- Nasal spray
There are other possible triggers with some unique to certain people. For example some unusual stimuli which has been known to trigger seizures include color yellow, the smell of glue and sounds such as the telephone ringing or a siren.
How are they managed
It is well documented that sleep deprivation or a lack of sleep is a known trigger for seizures and can make more seizures likely. It is important to aim for optimum control of nocturnal seizures though, because sleep and seizures are closely related. Nocturnal seizures can interrupt sleep. Treatment of nocturnal seizures is similar to seizures of a similar nature that occur during the waking hours.
1. Avoidance therapy
Avoidance therapy consists of minimizing or eliminating triggers in patients whose seizures are particularly susceptible to seizure precipitants. For example, sunglasses that counter exposure to particular light wavelengths can improve seizure control in certain photosensitive epilepsies.
2. Warning systems
A seizure response dog is a form of service dog that is trained to summon help or ensure personal safety when a seizure occurs. These are not suitable for everybody and not all dogs can be so trained. Rarely, a dog may develop the ability to sense a seizure before it occurs.
3. Yoga
3. Yoga
Stress is considered an important precipitating factor for seizures. Yoga is believed to induce relaxation and stress reduction. The effect of yoga on the EEG and the autonomic nervous system have been reported. Yoga is an Internationally accepted therapy for epilepsy.
4. Acupuncture
Studies in China have shown acupuncture to be a safe, reliable way to reduce or lower seizure activity. A growing number of people with epilepsy are finding that this ancient treatment helps control seizures. This ancient method of preventing and treating illness has a very different basis than Western medicine. To an acupuncturist, vital energy or qi runs through the human body along pathways called meridians. Qi is the life force that is involved in all bodily functions - from metabolism to emotions. In a healthy person, the Chinese believe, the qi flows unimpeded. When the flow or circulation is impeded, illness results. Therefore, the goal of acupuncture is to restore harmony - yin and yang - within the body. Patterns of energy flow through the body just below the surface of the skin. To balance energy, the acupuncturist inserts sterilized stainless steel needles - little thicker than a hair - at key points along the body to access the twelve channels or meridians where qi flows through the body. (For a person with epilepsy, this would certainly include points that influence brain energy, to increase the flow of blood to the head.) This manipulates the energy flow, to either increase or decrease a person's qi at various points in the body, to help clear energy blockages. To help ensure that the correction in energy flow lasts, many cupuncturists make dietary recommendations and prescribe herbs. shuigou (GV-26), jiuwei (CV-15), jianshi (PC-5), taichong (LV-3), fenglong (ST-40) , xinshu (BL-15), yintang (M-HN-3), shenmen (HT-7), sanyinjiao (SP-6), taixi (KI -3), yaoqi (extra) These are the points which are most commonly used to deal with epilepsy in acupuncture.
5. Ketogenic Diet
A high fat low carbohydrate diet developed in the 1920s, largely forgotten with the advent of effective anticonvulsant, and resurrected in the 1990s. The mechanism of action is unknown. It is used mainly in the treatment of children with severe, medically-intractable epilepsy.
6. Taking Help of any faith or believes
If you believe in God than you can keep a picture of your God, any holly sign with you at the time of sleeping or reading any holly book before going to sleep, you may get strength to get control on Sleep Seizure/ Nocturnal epilepsy in night.
7. Castor Oil packs.
Edgar Cayce's Therapeutic Model the treatment rationale which underlies Edgar Cayce's therapeutic approach flows naturally from his premise as to the most frequent cause of epilepsy. Cayce insisted that most cases of epilepsy were caused by adhesions in the lacteal ducts of the abdomen. Treatment is directed at breaking up adhesions in the lacteal duct area which is located along the right side of the abdomen Castor oil is a commercial product made from the castor bean. Edgar Cayce stated that when a piece of flannel cloth is saturated with hot castor oil and placed on the abdomen, the combination of the heat and oil will break up the adhesions associated with epilepsy.
the hot castor oil pack is placed over the right side of the abdomen in the area of the lacteal ducts. A typical session lasts about an hour. Three sessions per week were typically recommended. each session is usually followed by an abdominal massage which assists in breaking up adhesions. (take a cup of castor oil, warm it up, soak it on flannel, lay the flannel on your stomach for 1/2 hr. 2 hrs. before bed). Something like that.
the hot castor oil pack is placed over the right side of the abdomen in the area of the lacteal ducts. A typical session lasts about an hour. Three sessions per week were typically recommended. each session is usually followed by an abdominal massage which assists in breaking up adhesions. (take a cup of castor oil, warm it up, soak it on flannel, lay the flannel on your stomach for 1/2 hr. 2 hrs. before bed). Something like that.
8. Epson Salt baths
Epsom salt baths twice a week are also very effective in cases of epilepsy.
9. Mud packs
Mud packs are also very beneficial for an epilepsy patient as they help in removing toxemic conditions of the intestines and thereby hasten the removal of epileptic conditions. Application of suck packs should be done twice on the abdomen.
10. Alternate hot and cold compresses
Application of alternate hot and cold compresses at the back of head is also very effective. The procedure is to dip the feet in a bucket of hot water and first apply a hot towel and then a cold one to the back of the head. These alternate hot or cold towels should be kept for two or three minutes for about four times a day.
11. Managing the weight
An epilepsy patient should also remain physically and mentally active at all times and also avoid unnecessary stress and strain. He should strictly adhere to all the natural laws of good health and build and maintain highest level of general health.
12. Epilepsy diet
It is believe that a restricted caloric intake while on a balanced diet can lead to measurable seizure reduction among all age groups. Seizures have been treated by diet since ancient times. The earliest dietary treatment was fasting. The diet used most frequently in modern times is very low in sugars and proteins and high in fat. The diet forces the body to burn fat for energy instead of sugars and is somewhat similar to currently popular weight-loss diets.
13. Ketogenic Diet
A high fat low carbohydrate diet developed in the 1920s, largely forgotten with the advent of effective anticonvulsant, and resurrected in the 1990s. The mechanism of action is unknown. It is used mainly in the treatment of children with severe, medically-intractable epilepsy. ketogenic diet because burning fats is thought to increase ketones in the body, a condition called ketosis. Ketones are thought to prevent irritation of the central nervous system, that is, the spinal column and the brain. The ketogenic diet should be used only under a doctor's supervision, usually with the help of a dietitian.
14. Take supplements of Vitamin B6
Take supplements of Vitamin B6 or supplement your diet with natural food sources of this important B vitamin. B6 works to maintain the critical functioning of the central nervous system. Because epilepsy is a disorder affecting the central nervous system, maintaining proper function through Vitamin B6 supplements can help reduce the frequency of seizures. Foods rich in Vitamin B6 include brewer's yeast, milk, rice, green leafy vegetables, peanuts, carrots and cereals. Researchers found that The enzyme that coverts glutamic acid to gamma-aminobutyuric acid (GABA) an important inhibitory brain calming neurotransmitter is activated when B6 binds itself to it. When GABA levels are reduced it makes it abnormally easy for seizures to occur. The vitamin has to be in a food state form and can be crushed into a powder to feed to a child.
15. Vegetable juices
Drink vegetable juices, particularly carrot mixed with beets and cucumber to help eliminate toxins that may trigger epileptic seizures. Drink 500 ml daily by combining 300 ml of carrot juice with 100 ml of cucumber and 100 ml of beet juice.
16. Vagus nerve stimulation
(VNS)- The VNS consists of a computerized electrical device similar in size, shape and implant location to a heart pacemakervagus nerve in the neck. The device stimulates the vagus nerve at pre-set intervals and intensities of current. Efficacy has been tested in patients with localization-related epilepsies it is a reasonable alternative when the patient is reluctant to proceed with any required invasive monitoring, when appropriate presurgical evaluation fails to uncover the location of epileptic foci, or when there are multiple epileptic foci.
17. Responsive Neurostimulator System
US manufacturer Neuropace consists of an computerized electrical device implanted in the skull with electrodes implanted in presumed epileptic foci within the brain. The brain electrodes send EEG signal to the device which contains seizure-detection software. When certain EEG seizure criteria are met, the device delivers a small electrical charge to other electrodes near the epileptic focus and disrupt the seizure. The efficacy of the RNS is under current investigation with the goal of FDA approval. Deep Brain Stimulation: (DBS) (US manufacturer Medtronics) consists of computerized electrical device implanted in the chest in a manner similar to the VNS, but electrical stimulation is delivered to deep brain structures through depth electrodes implanted through the skull. In epilepsy, the electrode target is the anterior nucleus of the thalamus. The efficacy of the DBS in localization-related epilepsies is currently under investigation.
18. Noninvasive surgery
The use of the Gamma Knife or other devices used in radiosurgery are currently being investigated as alternatives to traditional open surgery in patients who would otherwise qualify for anterior temporal lobectomy.
19. Omega 3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with numerous health benefits, from brain development and preventing memory loss to suppressing tumours and cutting heart disease. suggesting DHA supplementation in the diet could potentially help control seizures. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish and Columbus eggs, Columbus eggs are available at most supermarkets and are high in omega 3 fatty acids. Try and have boiled eggs as frying affects the quality of the essential fatty acid
20. Calcium Magnesium
Naturopaths find that most people with epilepsy have low calcium and magnesium levels and when they are repaired seizures decrease. In nature cure they recommend that you ensure adequate calcium levels and magnesium level Rich dietary sources of manganese include nuts, seeds and wheat germ. . Magnesium works with calcium therefore one has to be taken with the other to stop depletion of the minerals. Magnesium is nature’s tranquiliser and is tremendously supportive to the nervous system. However you need to be taking these minerals in a food form.
21. Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil reduces epileptic seizure You can take coconut oil both internally and externally. Those who are proponents of this cure do both. The typical amount to take internally per day is 3 tbsp. It is recommended that you take 1 TBSP with every meal. Coconut Oil apparently gives an instantaneous energy lift and may help you give up caffeine! Many sports nutrition bars and drinks include coconut oil for its energizing properties.
22. Tai chi
A Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise designed for relaxation and balance and health.
23. Psychological interventions
24. Avoid Artificial Sweetners, Take Natural Sugars
25. Gluten Free Diet
26. Learn Earn To Stay Calm
27. Taking Safety Measures
- Use low bed with padded headboards. Bunks are not recommended.
- Avoid large soft pillows, which can increase the risk of smothering. Use instead an anti-smother safety pillow or no pillow at all.
- Keep heavy furniture away from the bedside to prevent injury during a fall.
- Consider using a safety mats on the floor next to the bed if the person tends to fall out of bed during seizures. Such mats are similar to those used in gyms.
- Wall mounted lamps pose less safety risks than ordinary table lamps or study lamps, which can be easily knocked over.
- Smoking in bed is unwise for everyone and particularly so for a person with nocturnal seizures. Consider using non-flammable bedding and a smoke alarm.
- Avoid coarse carpets, which can lead to friction burns for those who may fall out of bed. If it's not feasible to replace carpets, a protective mat will suffice.
- Finally, people who experience seizures exclusively during sleep and are often able to drive.
- Above all over excitement of any kind should be avoided by an epilepsy sufferer.
28.Tips to reduce photosensitivity:
- Avoiding flashing lights is the best way to minimize the risk. If someone is exposed to flashing lights, then closing and covering the eyes can be helpful. Recommendations for television viewing that include the following:
- Watch television in a well-lit room to reduce the contrast between the screen light and background light;
- Reduce the brightness of the screen;
- Keep as far back from the screen as possible (minimum five feet);
- Use remote controls to ensure proper distance from the television is maintained;
- Use small screens. When watching large screens, increase the distance from the screen.
- Use activities that you perform every day—things like brushing your teeth, taking a shower, or having meals—as cues to remind you to take your medicine.
- Use a pillbox that organizes your pills by day of the week and time of day. Then you can tell at a glance whether you have forgotten a dose.
- If you still have trouble remembering, consider getting a pillbox or wristwatch that will sound an alarm when it's time for your next dose.
- Don't wait until you are out of pills before refilling your prescription. Keep at least a one- to two-week supply on hand. If you have no refills left, it's especially important to call the doctor before you run out. If you do run out of medicine, do whatever is necessary to get more right away, even if you have to go to an emergency room.
- If you order your seizure medicine by mail, get a spare two- to four-week supply.
- Keep an "emergency" supply at work, in your purse or wallet, or perhaps in your car in case you don't get home in time for your next dose.
- For children, have the school nurse or teacher keep some medication on hand.
- When traveling, pack two supplies of your seizure medicine, in both a carry-on bag and your checked luggage.
- If you travel across time zones, take the same amount of medication over a 24- or 48-hour period as you would if you were at home, with about the same intervals between doses.
- Make sure your sleeping environment is quiet and dark.
- Avoid eating sweets or desert in night, suger contains high amount of energy which may keep you awake for longer period.
- Go to bed at least half an hour before trying to fall asleep.
- Read in bed instead of watching television (unless reading a good novel keeps you awake and TV puts you to sleep).
- Avoid caffeine for at least 6 hours before bedtime.
- Have no more than one alcoholic beverage a day.
- Exercise daily but do not exercise within a few hours of going to bed.
- Sleeping pills should be used only under a doctor's supervision
- Try to avoid situations that you know will be stressful.
- Learn relaxation techniques or take yoga or tai chi classes.
- During times when you can't avoid stress, make an extra effort to get enough sleep and to take your seizure medicine on time.
- Manage Child Stress: As a parent, you should try to recognize what is stressful to your child. Perhaps you can work out a compromise with your child that reduces the stress but also encourages him or her to remain active. If the stress is serious, it may be helpful to talk to a psychologist.
- Slightly increasing the dosage of the antiepileptic drugs before the time of increased seizure frequency. (Note: This applies only to women with regular cycles.)
- Reducing the water retention that occurs in the premenstrual period.
- Taking an additional antiepileptic drug such as lorazepam (Ativan) for several days around the most vulnerable time of the menstrual cycle.
- Using hormonal agents such as progesterone or birth control pills for women with catamenial epilepsy may help. However, the effectiveness and safety of hormonal therapy for this type of epilepsy remains to be established.
- Persons with epilepsy very seldom need to take extra sodium, calcium, or magnesium for seizure control. If your doctor finds that you have low levels in your body and no underlying disorder is identified, it may be reasonable to change your diet or take a mineral supplement. Taking extra doses of certain minerals can help to prevent side effects that may follow the long-term use of some seizure medicines. Check the specific information about the medicines you take to see if this applies to you.
- Vitamins, herbs, or amino acids help to treat seizures
- Research studies have been unable to confirm the reports of people who have appeared to respond to these substances. Isolated reports of a few cases can be misleading. We shouldn't ignore promising therapies, but people with epilepsy would be wise not to embrace a treatment until there is some solid proof that it works. Most nutritional supplements are, in effect, medications. probably most of them have no real effect on seizure control, but they can have side effects and some may be dangerous
