If there is one thing that all of us need, it’s enough sleep on a daily basis. Many of us tend to drift off into an unconscious state and we wake up in the morning feeling refreshed. Unfortunately, there may also be problems that occur during sleep, including a problem known as sleep paralysis.
If you have ever experienced sleep paralysis, you already recognise it is one of the strangest things that could possibly happen. You wake up and suddenly, you feel as if you are not able to move any part of your body. You are aware of what is taking place around you but are totally paralyzed. It is a frightening thing that happens to many of us.
In the case of sleep paralysis, an individual is conscious but their body is paralyzed. Since they cannot control their body, they become terrified and disturbed.
You should know that sleep paralysis is not uncommon and it does not lead to any type of physical damage to the body. It occurs during one of two stages of sleep, “hypnagogic” and “hypnopompic.”
The first stage happens when you fall asleep. The hypnopompic sleep paralysis takes place when a person wakes up from REM sleep.
When we fall asleep, our body becomes relaxed and the mind becomes less aware. In the case of hynagogic sleep paralysis, our mind becomes aware but our body is involuntarily relaxed. You realise what is taking place around you but try as you may, you are unable to move.
During REM sleep, the muscles become paralyzed naturally but if you experience hypnopompic sleep paralysis, part of your brain becomes awake. The part of the brain that controls REM paralysis is awake but you are not awake to the point where you can voluntarily control your muscles.
It is possible for a person never to experience this problem and some have gone through it a few times in their life. There are other people, however, who experience it frequently.
According to a Penn State University study, approximately 8% of the population experiences sleep paralysis on a frequent basis.
People who suffer from mental disorders, including depression and anxiety are also more likely to have frequent episodes of sleep paralysis. That is also true of those who have other sleep conditions, such as sleep apnea or if you take certain medications.
WebMD revealed a list of the risk factors, as follows:
Sleep problems like nighttime leg cramps or narcolepsy
Lack of sleep
Mental conditions, like bipolar disorder or stress
Substance abuse
Frequent changes in sleep schedule
Certain medications, like the ones with ADHD
Sleeping on the back
Symptoms
In the case of a sleep paralysis, people cannot speak or move for several seconds or minutes, most often shortly after they have fallen asleep, or immediately after waking up.
In most cases, this issue is not medically treated, but at times, the doctor may inquire into other aspects of the sleep health, and if the sleep conditions get worse, he may even ask the help of a sleep specialist.
There is usually not a prescribed treatment, as this paralysis happens naturally. Yet, if an expert finds another underlying condition in the process of diagnosis, he may prescribe a treatment, such as:
Treatment of any underlying sleep disorders
Prescription for sleeping aids
Referral to a mental health professional
Implementation of a sleeping schedule
Prescription for an anti-depressant
Referral to a sleep specialist
At times, it may be possible to prevent sleep paralysis if you reduce how much stress you have before going to sleep.
If you experience sleep paralysis once, is not typically necessary to get professional help. Doctors say you should pay more attention to your sleep habits if it only happens on occasion. It may also be necessary to eliminate the intake of nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and drugs. You may also benefit by not keeping your electronic devices near your bed while you sleep.
If you have this problem once, it is more likely to happen again. Although it is terrifying, it will pass so try to remain calm.
Via: Healthy Food House
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