Understanding Breathing Changes During Seizures and Their Risks
⚠️ SUDEP: If you have concerns, speak with your clinician about risk and safety planning.
Summary
Researchers examined how breathing is affected during and after seizures, focusing on specific breathing problems that can occur during these events. The study involved looking at various types of seizures, particularly focal seizures that start in one area of the brain and generalized tonic-clonic seizures that affect the whole brain. The goal was to understand how these breathing disturbances might relate to a serious risk known as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
The main findings showed that breathing issues, such as central apnea (a pause in breathing) and changes in breathing rate, are common during seizures. For instance, central apnea was noted in 36% to 40% of focal seizures, and longer episodes of this condition can lead to low oxygen levels in the body, seen in 33% to 41% of cases. Additionally, breathing problems after generalized seizures were linked to brainstem dysfunction, which could increase the risk of SUDEP.
This research is important because it highlights how breathing disturbances during and after seizures could contribute to the risk of SUDEP, a leading cause of death in people with epilepsy. However, it is essential to note that this study is observational and based on existing data, which means more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand their implications fully.
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