MyEpilepsyTeam

Yes, sleep apnea can contribute to seizures — and the relationship actually goes both ways. Sleep apnea affects more than one-third of people with epilepsy, making it a pretty significant concern worth knowing about. Here's how sleep apnea can make epilepsy worse:

- Disrupted sleep cycles — Sleep apnea breaks up your sleep Show Full Answer

Yes, sleep apnea can contribute to seizures — and the relationship actually goes both ways. Sleep apnea affects more than one-third of people with epilepsy, making it a pretty significant concern worth knowing about. Here's how sleep apnea can make epilepsy worse:

- Disrupted sleep cycles — Sleep apnea breaks up your sleep, and poor-quality sleep is a known seizure trigger
- Low oxygen levels — When breathing stops repeatedly at night, oxygen drops in the brain, which can increase seizure activity
- Weakened airway muscles — Seizures themselves can weaken upper airway muscles, which in turn worsens sleep apnea, creating a cycle As one MyEpilepsyTeam member put it, "Breathing and sleep had a lot to do with making my seizures worse. Being tired from sleep apnea will definitely give you problems."

The good news is that treating sleep apnea — typically with a CPAP machine — has been shown to reduce seizure activity in some people. One study found that people treated for sleep apnea were more likely to see a 50% reduction in seizures. It's really important to note that CPAP therapy doesn't replace any epilepsy treatment prescribed by a neurologist. If poor sleep or nighttime seizures are a concern, speaking with a neurologist is a great first step — they may refer to a sleep specialist for a sleep study.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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