Topiramate Raises Glaucoma Risk More Than Other Medications
This study looked at the risk of developing glaucoma in patients with epilepsy who were prescribed different medications: topiramate, valproate, and lamotrigine.
Lifestyle & Sleep
This hub covers epilepsy lifestyle and sleep: Everyday factors that can affect seizures including sleep, stress, routines, illness, and triggers. Research-backed steps families can actually use.
What you’ll find in this topic:
- Plain-language summaries of new epilepsy studies
- What the research means for real life
- Practical questions to ask your neurologist
- Related topics you can explore next
Lifestyle & Sleep: What Families Usually Want to Know
- Why sleep is one of the biggest seizure “levers”
- Stress, routines, illness, and missed meds as common triggers
- Teen sleep, screens, and irregular schedules
- What tracking actually helps (and what’s noise)
Common Epilepsy Lifestyle Terms in Plain English
- Trigger: Something that makes seizures more likely (not always consistent)
- Sleep deprivation: Less sleep than your brain needs (can lower seizure threshold)
- Circadian rhythm: Your body’s internal clock (sleep timing matters)
- Adherence: Taking meds consistently (one of the biggest controllable factors)
- Seizure diary: Simple tracking that helps patterns emerge over time
Related Topics
Lifestyle & Sleep FAQ
Do triggers cause epilepsy?
Triggers usually don’t “cause” epilepsy, but they can make seizures more likely in someone who already has it.
Is melatonin safe?
Sometimes. Ask your neurologist because sleep aids can interact with meds and seizure patterns.
Should we track everything?
Start by tracking a few fields: Sleep schedule, missed meds, illness, stress, seizures, rescue meds, and see if you need to add from there.
Does exercise help?
Often yes, and it can improve sleep and mood. The right plan depends on seizure type and safety needs.
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New Auditory Stimulation Improves Sleep and Cognition in Kids with Epilepsy
Researchers studied a new method to improve sleep in children with epilepsy, focusing on 27 kids who were undergoing monitoring for their seizures.
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Online Sleep Help for Kids with Epilepsy Shows Promise
Researchers studied the effects of an online sleep intervention called COSI for parents of children with epilepsy who also had sleep problems.
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Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Imaging & EEG | Lifestyle & Sleep | New Studies | Pediatrics
Multimodal Approach Improves Diagnosis of Pediatric Seizures
In a study involving 249 children who experienced new-onset bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, researchers aimed to understand how different diagnostic methods could help classify the type of seizures.
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Clock Genes May Influence Epilepsy Severity and Patterns
Researchers studied the connection between clock genes, which help regulate our body’s daily rhythms, and epilepsy.
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Inconsistent MRI Practices for Pediatric Seizures Across Canada
Researchers studied how pediatric hospitals in Canada use imaging methods, like MRI and CT scans, to evaluate children who have new-onset seizures.
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Understanding Daily Life With Epilepsy in Western Countries
This study looked at the everyday experiences of adults living with epilepsy in Western countries.
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New Seizure Classification Works Well in Referral Centers
A recent study looked at how well the updated International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) seizure classification works in secondary referral centers, which are specialized clinics for epilepsy care.
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Improving SUDEP Communication Among Epilepsy Professionals in Spain
This study looked at how epilepsy professionals in Spain talk about Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which is a serious risk for people with epilepsy.
