many parents irked when their teenager sleeps in past noon on saturday mornings don't worry about the kid getting enough sleep. sometimes it seems as though teens sleep the day away! but too little sleep is a real problem for many teens and a particular risk for teens with epilepsy. lack of sleep can lead to poor decisions and an increased risk of seizures. sleep deprivation is an especially serious problem for kids at college. "at exam time kids may stay up for two or three nights cramming " says william r. turk md chief of the neurology division at the nemours children's clinic in jacksonville florida. "and of course they celebrate by drinking like bandits. that combination can definitely result in seizures for people with epilepsy. " without being too pushy you should try to make sure that your child is getting enough rest. too many late nights whether he's out with his friends or up late doing homework isn't a good idea. while a part-time job may be a good thing for your teenager -- in both emotional and financial ways -- make sure that he's not working so much that it's tiring him out.
can my teenager's sleep habits affect his epilepsy?