The Shocking Connection Between Poor Sleep and Epilepsy – Delhi Experts Explain

 A study published in Epilepsia showed that people with epilepsy who sleep less than 6 hours a night are more likely to have seizures the next day. This is not just coincidence. Sleep and epilepsy are directly linked in the brain.

When you don’t sleep well, the brain’s electrical activity changes. These changes can trigger abnormal signals that cause seizures. Doctors at the Neurology and Sleep Centre in Delhi explain that many patients with epilepsy also report insomnia, sleep apnea, or restless nights. And when their sleep is treated, their seizures often reduce.

why sleep matters for epilepsy

Sleep is when the brain restores balance. During deep sleep, the nervous system calms down. But if you have disrupted sleep, your brain remains in a state of hyper-excitability. That makes seizures more likely.

Some people with epilepsy also have sleep disorders like sleep apnea. In this condition, breathing stops and starts repeatedly at night. Oxygen levels drop. The brain becomes stressed. This is a major trigger for seizures.

Even a single night of poor sleep can lower the seizure threshold. That means the brain becomes more vulnerable. And if poor sleep continues, seizures may become more frequent and harder to control.

what experts in delhi see in patients

Dr. Manvir Bhatia, a leading sleep specialist in Delhi, often sees patients who complain of both seizures and poor sleep. Many of them do not realize that their sleeplessness is worsening their epilepsy. Some only come to know after undergoing a sleep study in Delhi. This test records breathing, brain waves, and oxygen levels overnight. It helps doctors see if sleep disorders are hidden behind seizure activity.

Dr. Dhiraj Bhatia, a neurologist at Hauz Khas, explains that treatment must target both problems. “If you only treat epilepsy with medicines but ignore sleep, you are missing half the picture,” he says.

treatment approaches that work

Managing sleep can reduce seizure frequency. This includes:

• treating sleep apnea with CPAP therapy,

• setting fixed sleep routines,

• avoiding late-night screen time,

• and adjusting anti-seizure medicines in consultation with a neurologist.

Patients who visit the Neurology and Sleep Centre often find that once their sleep is regulated, their overall health improves. Blood pressure stabilizes, mood improves, and seizure episodes decline.

when to seek help

If you have epilepsy and notice poor sleep, heavy snoring, or frequent night waking, it is important to consult a sleep doctor in Delhi. Don’t wait until seizures become severe. A neurologist can guide you on whether you need a sleep study or a change in treatment.

final word

Poor sleep is not just an inconvenience. For people with epilepsy, it can be dangerous. Experts in Delhi stress that sleep health is a critical part of seizure management. By addressing both sleep and neurological health, patients have a better chance of living stable, safer lives.