Waking up with a bitten, swollen tongue is one of the telltale signs that a nocturnal seizure may have occurred during sleep. It can be unsettling to piece together what happened overnight, especially if sleeping alone.
Other clues to look out for in the morning include:
- Bed-wetting
- Unexplained bruises or soreness
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Waking up with a bitten, swollen tongue is one of the telltale signs that a nocturnal seizure may have occurred during sleep. It can be unsettling to piece together what happened overnight, especially if sleeping alone.
Other clues to look out for in the morning include:
- Bed-wetting
- Unexplained bruises or soreness
- Falling out of bed
- Morning confusion or extreme tiredness
- Night sweats
- Stiff or sore arms and legs
- Trouble concentrating
As a MyEpilepsyTeam member shared, nocturnal seizures often left them "drenched in sweat" upon waking — another common sign something happened during the night. Both tonic-clonic and focal (complex partial) seizure types can occur as nocturnal seizures. They tend to happen during the lighter stages of sleep or around the time of waking up.
The exhaustion felt the next day is very real. A MyEpilepsyTeam member described it well: "It takes so much out of you... it will take three days for my body to get back to normal." This recovery period after a seizure is called the postictal phase. It's worth speaking with a neurologist about these symptoms. To confirm nocturnal seizures, a video EEG combined with a sleep study (polysomnography) is typically used to monitor brain activity overnight. An MRI may also be recommended.
If nocturnal seizures are confirmed, there are several treatment options that may help, including:
- Adjusting anti-seizure medication timing (e.g., a higher dose before bed)
- Lifestyle changes like a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding known triggers
- Dietary approaches such as a ketogenic or low-glycemic diet
- Epilepsy surgery in some cases
Safety at night is also important — simple steps like using a low bed frame, placing a mat beside the bed, and using a nighttime seizure monitor can make a real difference.
July 27
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