Exploding Head Syndrome Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Exploding Head Syndrome is a condition that occurs during sleep. This syndrome is not a serious health problem. Even so, this can interfere with the sleep quality of sufferers so that it affects their physical and psychological well-being.
Sufferers will experience disturbances such as hearing loud noises when they are about to fall asleep or wake up. Loud noises can resemble fireworks, bomb explosions, loud crashes, gunshots, or lightning strikes.
Exploding head syndrome is a form of sleep disorder, namely parasomnia. Parasomnia sleep disorders cause sufferers to wake up from sleep, either shallow or deep. Other disorders that include parasomnias are nightmares, sleep terrors ( night terrors ), and sleepwalking.
Exploding Head Syndrome Symptom
Symptoms of exploding head syndrome are hearing a loud noise like an explosion when you are about to fall asleep or wake up. Actually, this disorder includes hallucinations. When the sound occurs while going to sleep, the condition is called a hypnogogic hallucination.
Although not actually real, the sound in exploding head syndrome feels very real. The sound makes a person wake up in a state of shock and makes it difficult to go back to sleep.
This may occur only once or several times during sleep periods. Sounds usually only occur when you are between stages of sleep and will disappear when the sufferer wakes up.
Some sufferers experience other symptoms such as:
- Seeing a flash of light along with a loud sound
- Heart rate increases
- Feeling scared
- muscle twitch
Exploding Head Syndrome Reason
The exact cause of exploding head syndrome is still unknown. Some experts argue that the cause is a nervous disorder, fear, or anxiety.
Exploding head syndrome may also be associated with changes in the position of components of the middle ear during the night. Exploding head syndrome is more common in people who are experiencing high levels of stress or have sleep disorders. This syndrome is also more common in women than men.
Exploding Head Syndrome Diagnosis
The doctor will suspect a sleep disturbance from the patient’s complaints. The exploding head syndrome has distinctive symptoms compared to other sleep disorders. Sufferers can be asked to stay overnight in a sleep laboratory so that their sleep conditions can be monitored.
A sleep specialist can perform a polysomnographic exam to evaluate what happens to the body while the patient is sleeping, such as heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen levels, and brain waves. Other additional examinations such as an electroencephalogram can also be done to check the patient’s nerve activity.
Exploding Head Syndrome Treatment
Treatment for this problem depends on a person’s age, symptoms, and severity of exploding head syndrome. Some sufferers feel they do not need treatment because this condition is not dangerous.
Handling this disorder can be a combination of the following techniques:
- medications, such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and calcium channel blockers
- meditation and relaxation
- stress-reducing activities, such as yoga, listening to music, reading, or taking a hot bath before bed
- psychotherapy and counseling
- change in sleep routine
Prevention
Exploding head syndrome is quite difficult to prevent because the exact cause is still not defined. However, exploding head syndrome has been associated with high levels of stress. Thus, by reducing a person’s stress level, it is likely that exploding head syndrome can be prevented or reduced in severity.