Nocturnal seizures are seizures that happen during sleep, while falling asleep, or while waking up. They affect up to 15% of people with epilepsy. Any seizure type can occur at night, but some epilepsy types are more likely to cause them.
Common types linked to nocturnal seizures include:
- Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy – quick Show Full Answer
Nocturnal seizures are seizures that happen during sleep, while falling asleep, or while waking up. They affect up to 15% of people with epilepsy. Any seizure type can occur at night, but some epilepsy types are more likely to cause them.
Common types linked to nocturnal seizures include:
- Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy – quick jerking movements, often after waking
- Frontal Lobe Epilepsy – brief, clustered motor seizures during sleep
- Landau-Kleffner Syndrome – focal seizures that can progress to tonic-clonic If you sleep alone, you might not realize you've had a nocturnal seizure. Here are some clues to watch for when you wake up:
- Bed-wetting
- Tongue biting
- Unexplained bruises or falls from bed
- Morning tiredness or confusion
- Night sweats
- Arm or leg stiffness
As a MyEpilepsyTeam member shared, nocturnal seizures often left them "drenched in sweat" upon waking. Nocturnal seizures can seriously disrupt sleep. A MyEpilepsyTeam member described the exhaustion well: "It will take three days for my body to get back to normal. It takes so much out of you."
Sleep deprivation from nocturnal seizures can also trigger more daytime seizures, creating a frustrating cycle. Treatment options depend on several factors including seizure type, severity, age, and medical history. A neurologist may recommend:
- Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) – often very effective; dosage timing can sometimes be adjusted so more medication is taken before bed
- Dietary changes – such as a ketogenic, modified Atkins, or low-glycemic index diet
- Lifestyle adjustments – consistent sleep schedule, avoiding triggers like alcohol and sleep deprivation
- Epilepsy surgery – if medication and lifestyle changes aren't enough
Always talk to your healthcare team before making any changes to your treatment plan. Safety during nocturnal seizures is really important. Some practical steps to reduce injury risk include:
- Using a low bed frame or placing the mattress on the floor
- Putting a mat beside the bed in case of falls
- Mounting lamps on the wall instead of using bedside tables
- Using a nighttime seizure monitor that detects excessive movement
- Having a seizure action plan ready for those around you
People with frequent tonic-clonic seizures at night, especially without supervision, face a higher risk of SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), so discussing safety with your doctor is especially important. Diagnosing nocturnal seizures typically involves a video EEG combined with a sleep study (polysomnography). This helps a neurologist monitor brain activity during sleep and detect any abnormalities. An MRI may also be used to pinpoint where in the brain seizures are occurring.
If you're experiencing new or worsening nighttime seizures, reaching out to your healthcare team is the best next step.
September 23
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