Sleep Paralysis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Sleep paralysis, or sleep paralysis, is a condition in which a person is conscious but unable to move his body. This generally occurs when a person is in a transition period between sleep and wakefulness.
When a person experiences sleep paralysis, during this transition period, he may have difficulty moving or speaking for a few seconds to several minutes. Some people may also feel pressure or a feeling of choking.
Sleep paralysis can accompany several other sleep disorders. For example narcolepsy, which is excessive sleepiness resulting from the brain’s inability to regulate sleep patterns.
Sleep Paralysis Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of sleep paralysis can include:
- Has difficulty moving the body for a few seconds to a few minutes just before falling asleep or just after waking up
- In a conscious state
- Unable to speak while the episode is occurring
- Experiencing hallucinations or sensations that cause fear
- A feeling of pressure in the chest
- Having trouble breathing
- Sweating
- Experiencing headaches, muscle aches, and paranoia
In addition, several other things that can also be experienced are:
- Worries about sleep paralysis experienced
- Feeling tired all-day
- Difficulty sleeping at night
Sleep Paralysis Reason
It is estimated that about 4 out of 10 people have experienced sleep paralysis. This fairly common condition is generally first noticed in their teens and can be experienced by both men and women. Sleep paralysis can also run in family members.
Some of the factors associated with sleep paralysis are:
- Lack of sleep
- Fluctuating sleep schedule
- Certain psychiatric conditions such as stress and bipolar disorder
- Sleep on your back
- Experiencing another sleep disorder such as narcolepsy or leg cramps at night
- Use of certain drugs
- History of illicit drug use
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of sleep paralysis can be determined from a detailed medical interview and direct physical examination.
The doctor can also gather further information about a person’s sleep patterns by asking about the complaints experienced and asking the patient to make a sleep schedule for several weeks, to record the hours of sleep and waking hours each day and any complaints experienced that night.
In addition, the doctor can also ask about a history of previous sleep disorders, both in patients and family members of sufferers.
The doctor may also order a sleep study or sleep examination, where a person stays at a sleep laboratory and is evaluated for the condition and quality of sleep, as well as any sleep disturbances they are experiencing.
Sleep Paralysis Treatment
In most cases of sleep paralysis, no specific treatment is performed on the patient. However, treatment for the underlying condition of sleep paralysis, such as narcolepsy, or another condition, can be helpful if the patient is anxious or has trouble sleeping.
Handling in these situations may include:
- Improving sleep patterns, such as ensuring that a person gets about six to eight hours of sleep each day
- Address other mental health problems that can contribute to sleep paralysis
- Treat other sleep disorders that may occur, such as narcolepsy or leg cramps when waking from sleep
- Doctors can prescribe certain medications to regulate sleep patterns
Prevention
Several things can be done to reduce the risk of sleep paralysis, including:
- Ensuring that a person gets good duration and quality of sleep, by setting the same sleep and wake schedule every day, and ensuring that the bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool to make it easier for someone to fall asleep
- Dealing with stress
- Live a healthy lifestyle by consuming a balanced nutritional diet and doing regular physical activity