Epilepsy and sleep

Abstract

The interaction between epilepsy sleep and epilepsy therapy is a dynamic process. Epilepsy, sleep and its disorders and anticonvulsant therapy effect each other, impact patient functioning, and seizure control. Many types of epilepsy have diurnal variation and nocturnal seizures can lead to sleep disruption. Like wise sleep disorders can produce frequent arousal, which may be associated with increased seizures. Anticonvulsants can produce daytime sleepiness and as a by product increased seizures. This review will examine common Epilepsies affected by sleep state, effect of sleep disorders on epilepsy and the effects of anticonvulsants of sleep and daytime functioning. In addition, treatment for primary sleep disorders in children with epilepsy will be discussed.

Keywords

Sleep - epilepsy - anticonvulsants