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Sleep apnea is a very common condition that disrupts people’s sleep. According to a 2025 estimate, almost a third of adults in the US have sleep apnea.
Besides causing a poor night’s sleep, it can also have other effects on people’s health. Some sleep apnea comorbidities (associated illnesses) include heart disease, stroke and diabetes, among several others. And, there may also be a link between sleep apnea and epilepsy.
So, can sleep apnea cause seizures? Ask your doctor if you have concerns about sleep apnea and your epilepsy. The following article will give you a general overview, but it’s essential to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common condition which affects nighttime breathing. It can make your breathing stop and restart many times while you are asleep. That may mean your body doesn’t get enough oxygen. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Your breathing stops and starts during sleep
- You make choking or gasping noises while asleep
- You feel very tired when awake
- Loud snoring
- Headache
- Waking to urinate often at night
- Dry mouth
- Lower libido
- Children with sleep apnea may have slightly different symptoms
By far the most common kind of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is when there’s a blockage in the throat. A much smaller number of people have central sleep apnea, which is when the brain doesn’t send the signals needed to make you breathe.
Is there a link between sleep apnea and epilepsy?
Yes, there does appear to be a relationship between epilepsy and sleep apnea. Several studies have found that people with epilepsy often have this comorbidity.
The exact relationship between epilepsy and sleep apnea is still not fully understood. But here are some of the theories about the possible links between sleep apnea and epilepsy:
- Not enough oxygen
Your brain needs a constant supply of oxygen to work correctly. But people who have sleep apnea may have less oxygen in their blood because they’re not breathing as much as they need. One theory is that this shortage of oxygen may cause stress or damage in the brain, and this may contribute to someone having epilepsy.
- Sleep deprivation
Poor sleep is closely associated with having more seizures among people with epilepsy. The disruption caused by sleep apnea may therefore increase people’s risk of having seizures.
- Changes in sleeping patterns
There are different phases your brain goes through during sleep. One of these is rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). REMS is believed to help protect against epilepsy. However, sleep apnea may disrupt this phase of sleep, and this may contribute to epilepsy.
Related: What are nocturnal seizures?
Treating sleep apnea and epilepsy
While the link between sleep apnea and seizures is still not fully understood, one 2014 study found that treating sleep apnea may also help reduce the number of seizures some people have.
The research found that people who used PAP (a common treatment for apnea which provides a constant flow of oxygen into your airways) saw a more than 50% reduction in seizure frequency, compared to people who didn’t receive the treatment.
If you have sleep apnea and epilepsy, then getting the right care is very important. Speak with your doctor about your sleep apnea symptoms at your next appointment.
