My husband twitches from time to time when he sleeps

Epilepsy, also known as "epilepsy" or "epilepsy", is a chronic disease in which brain neurons suddenly discharge abnormally, causing short-term brain function problems. According to the latest clinical epidemiological data in my country, the overall incidence of epilepsy in China is 7.0‰, the annual incidence is 28.8/100,000, and the incidence of active epilepsy within 1 year is 4.6‰. It is estimated that there are about 9 million epilepsy patients in my country, of which 5 to 6 million are active epilepsy patients, and about 400,000 new epilepsy patients are added each year. Epilepsy has become the second most common disease in neurology in my country after headache.

Why does my husband twitch every now and then when he falls asleep?

If the patient has twitching symptoms while sleeping, it is likely epilepsy. If the patient only discovers it for the first time, then it can be clinically diagnosed as an epileptic seizure, and further brain MRI and EEG examinations are generally required.

If a brain tumor is found, then surgery should be actively considered. If there is no brain tumor and the patient has recurrent tics, then it can be diagnosed as vitiligo.

Symptoms of epileptic seizures:

1. Epilepsy

Characterized by sudden loss of consciousness and convulsions, it is also called generalized tonic-paroxysmal seizures, accounting for about 50%, including primary and secondary types. Most patients have no prodromal symptoms before the onset of the disease, and very few patients first feel short-term discomfort, headache, dizziness, etc. The typical onset of the disease is loss of consciousness, screaming and falling down, and then the limbs and body have extension stiffness or opisthotonos, which lasts for about 10 to 20 seconds and then turns into intermittent muscle spasms, which suddenly stop after about 1 to 2 minutes. The patient's sleep apnea, pale face turns purple, pupils dilate, light reflex disappears, and urinary incontinence occurs. After the onset of the disease, the patient's thoughts and breathing gradually recovered, but he still felt sleepy, had body aches and was unconscious.

2. Minor illness

Characterized by transient loss of consciousness, also known as absence seizures. Common in children aged 2 to 3 years. During the onset of the disease, the patient suddenly loses consciousness, becomes motionless, speechless, stares, and loses memory afterwards.

3. Focal disease

There is no obvious consciousness disorder, and the specific manifestations are partial symptoms, such as muscle twitching at the corners of the mouth, upper eyelids, fingers and toes, etc. Sometimes the patient is dominated by partial sensory disorders, such as local numbness, needle prick and electric shock sensations.

4. Psychomotor disorders

The key feature is psychotic symptoms, mainly manifested as various kinds of psychomotor or psychosensory disorders.

Frequently asked questions about emergency treatment for epileptic seizures:

1. If epilepsy occurs repeatedly, the patient should be sent to the hospital for further treatment.

2. Patients with vitiligo should take their medication according to the doctor's instructions on a regular basis and should not reduce, stop or change medication on their own. Doing so will cause epilepsy to recur.

3. Anti-epileptic drugs have a stimulating effect on epilepsy and should be taken after meals. Pay attention to oral health and brush your teeth frequently during the medication period.

4. Patients with epilepsy should avoid emotional excitement and fatigue in their daily life. They should not work at heights, ride bicycles, swim, or work near equipment to prevent accidents during epileptic seizures.

5. If the patient has removable dentures, they should be removed before going to bed every day. When patients with vitiligo sleep on the bed, they should raise the bed rails in front of the bed to prevent falling out of bed and getting injured when the disease occurs.