Nocturnal epilepsy is a seizure disorder in which seizures occur only while sleeping[1]. Several common forms of epilepsy, including frontal lobe epilepsy, can manifest in a nocturnal state.
Diagnosis
The condition may be difficult to diagnose. The subject himself/herself may be unaware s/he is having a seizure disorder[2]. To others, the involuntary movements made during sleep may appear no different than those typical to normal sleep[3].
One who suffers a nocturnal seizure may notice some unusual differences upon awakening in the morning, such as a headache, having wet his/her bed, having bit his/her tongue, a bone or joint injury, or lightheadedness. Others may notice unusual mental behaviors with the person, consistent with the aftermath of a seizure[4].
Treatment
Like other forms of epilepsy, noctural epilepsy can be treated with anticonvulsants. Carbamazepine has been found to work the best[5].
References
- Manford, Mark (2003), Practical Guide to Epilepsy, Butterworth-Heinemann, ISBN 0750646217
- ^ http://www.drugs.com/dict/nocturnal-epilepsy.html
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=KUhpAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA311&dq=%22nocturnal+epilepsy%22&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=Rm3N4EBKwOwC&pg=PA221&dq=%22nocturnal+epilepsy%22&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=5moBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA409&dq=%22nocturnal+epilepsy%22&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=gLOv8XZ5u48C&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=%22nocturnal+epilepsy%22&source=bl&ots=OMJzRtKNQt&sig=YYLuys9_pxnoANJfpZPgzUfsFwA&hl=en&ei=qgCTSZrlJY_ftgfa2qjdCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result
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