Sleep Apnea Treatment

Question by daddyrx: Sleep apnea induced seizure in a non-epileptic patient?
Is there a relationship?

I know that it is well documented that sleep apnea can cause seizures in a patient diagnosed with epilepsy but what about in a patient with no clinical history of epilepsy or seizure disorder. I can’t seem to find any difinitive references on the subject.

Best answer:

Answer by DrS
it is uncommon for that to occur but with apnea sometimes the O2 levels drop drastically an can cause a seizure

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Question by daddyrx: Sleep apnea induced seizure in a non-epileptic patient?
Is there a relationship?

I know that it is well documented that sleep apnea can cause seizures in a patient diagnosed with epilepsy but what about in a patient with no clinical history of epilepsy or seizure disorder. I can’t seem to find any difinitive references on the subject.

Best answer:

Answer by RM
Sleep apnea causes sleep deprivation and hypoxia…both of which will lower the seizure threshold. “Non-epileptic” patients that have seizures related to sleep apnea probably have some predisposition to seizures that would not otherwise be identified if it weren’t for the stressors related to the apnea.

As a pharmacist you are probably well aware, but its a cruel relationship that some AEDs may actually worsen apnea due to central respiratory depression and reduced tone of respiratory musculature.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

I have sleep apnea and use a C PAP. I had a brain seizure (lasted 10 min.) and had many test run and nothing was found wrong. My neurologist thinks my seizure was related to my sleep apnea. I take anti-seizure meds. and don’t know of having another seizure. Has anyone heard of this problem?

and how much sleep should you be getting a night if you have a seizure disorder