The Role That Sleep Plays In Epilepsy Treatment
There are so many factors that come into play when you’re talking about health, specifically if you have a condition that complicates things further, like epilepsy. But one of the most important aspects of leading a healthy life always comes back to sleep, and getting the proper amount is even more important for people with epilepsy.
Since the role that sleep plays in epilepsy is so important to understand, I wanted to write this post as a sort of guide to explain the main points. I’ve spent a lot of time researching this topic, because sleep has been key in treating Rach’s epilepsy. So let’s get started!
Part 1 - How Sleep Affects Epilepsy and Vise Versa
The relationship between sleep and epilepsy is a complicated one, and one that truly goes both ways. But let’s first focus on how sleep, or a lack thereof, can affect epilepsy.
For people with most types of epilepsy, it’s highly likely that a main trigger will be sleep deprivation. This is one of the most common seizure triggers out there, which is why managing sleep patterns is a main part of many personal treatment plans. A lack of sleep could lead to a worsening of seizures, and symptoms caused by them.
Additionally, there are certain types of epilepsy that have been labeled as sleep-related epilepsies. With these types of epilepsies, sleep predictably becomes even more important. But unfortunately, these are the type of epilepsies where sleep might be impacted…
Which leads us to the “vise versa” part of this section.
You see, epilepsy and seizures can have a negative effect on sleep patterns. Especially if the person predominantly has nocturnal seizures, such as those with sleep-related epilepsies. But even basic types of epilepsy can disturb sleep patterns and even worsen pre existing sleep-related disorders outside of epilepsy.
But to complicate things even more, a lot of medications used to treat epilepsy actually end up affecting the patient’s sleep as well. While certain medications can make the person sleepier, which can lead to problems of its own, many medications actually make it harder to fall or stay asleep.
Part 2 - How Much Sleep Is Enough?
There’s no “right” answer to this question because everyone’s individual sleep needs are different. But there are wrong answers. So in this section, I’m going to list the ranges that the National Sleep Foundation suggests. Remember, that too little or too much sleep can be detrimental to your health.
Infants (4-11 months old) need around 12-15 hours of sleep, but less than 10 or more than 18 hours of sleep isn’t recommended.
Toddlers (1-2 years old) need around 11-14 hours of sleep, but less than 9 or more than 16 hours of sleep isn’t recommended.
Preschoolers (3-5 years old) need around 10-13 hours of sleep, but less than 8 or more than 14 hours of sleep isn’t recommended.
School-Aged Children (6-13 years old) need around 9-10 hours of sleep, but less than 7 or more than 12 hours of sleep isn’t recommended.
Teenagers (14-17 years old) need around 8-10 hours of sleep, but less than 7 or more than 11 hours of sleep isn’t recommended.
Young Adults and Adults (18-64 years old) need around 7-9 hours of sleep, but less than 6 or more than 10 hours of sleep isn’t recommended.
Older Adults (More than 65 years old) need around 7-8 hours of sleep, but less than 5 or more than 9 hours of sleep isn’t recommended.
Remember that the exact amount of sleep you need is unique to the person, but once you find your ideal amount of sleep, you need to stick to that amount. Doing so could drastically improve seizure control in people with epilepsy or at least help manage symptoms.
Part 3 - How To Get Enough Sleep If You Have Epilepsy
Like I mentioned earlier in the article, for people with epilepsy, getting quality sleep can be easier said than done. But there are things you can do to improve sleep quality, most of which could be applicable for anyone regardless of your condition. So if there are any caretakers of people with epilepsy reading this, they apply to you too!
The Time Right Before You Go To Bed Really Matters -
There are lots of things you could be doing before bed that could affect your sleep patterns. Things like eating too close to bedtime, using electronics within an hour of falling asleep, or indulging in nicotine or alcohol before attempting to fall asleep could cause you to struggle with falling and staying asleep.
Instead, you should avoid doing these things. And in addition to avoiding bad nighttime habits, you should try to incorporate some good habits into your routine as well. Things like meditation exercises before bed, making your bedroom as comfy as possible, and limiting stressors too close to bedtime could help improve your sleep.
Once You Find The Right Schedule, Be Diligent About It -
I know that sometimes situations can get out of our control, but for the most part, you really need to stick to the same sleep schedule if it works for you. Try to go to bed at the same time every night, and wake up at similar times every morning. And if those factors can’t always be helped, try to at least get the same amount of sleep if you can.
Plus, any routine that you find contributes to better sleep should be followed as well!
And If All Else Fails Then Make Sure To Consult Your Doctor -
It’s possible that switching medications could help with insomnia you might be facing as a person with epilepsy. Or it’s also possible that you might have an underlying, treatable, sleeping discord that your doctor can diagnose and help you with. So if you’re not able to get quality sleep, always consult your physician.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article, and if you have anything you’d like to share then I’d love to hear your comments!
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