Causes of Sleep paralysis: All you need to know.
What is Sleep Paralysis?
The causes of Sleep paralysis have been widely discussed but mostly the facts seem muddy, there is more to this strange disorder.
Sleep paralysis is a disorder that occurs when you wake upat night and cannot make any movements, this could occur during the hypnogogicperiod, the first few hours of sleep or the hypnopompic period (the period whenyou wake). In whichever case the sufferer cannot make any voluntary physicalmovement. Symptoms of sleep paralysis include seeing ghostlike creatures,others feel someone sitting on their chest and others hear sudden movements.
Over the years, many deductions have been made of the causeof sleep paralysis. Some claim that it is caused by sleep paralysis demons,others by aliens and some even say it is caused by too much T.V even thoughresearch has shown that it is strongly associated withnarcolepsy,cataplexy, and hypnagogic hallucinations. There are many self acclaimed curesfor sleep paralysis but what really works? What are the causes of sleepparalysis?
Causes of Sleepparalysis.
In some circles experts agree that sleep paralysis ishereditary that is to say that it can be transferred from parent to child. Menand women of any age can be affected by sleep paralysis but research shows thatteenagers are the most affected. Research also shows that 4 out of every 10persons are affected by sleep paralysis at least once or twice in theirlifetime. Medical experts say that sleep paralysis is caused by brief muscleparalysis, and can be induced by the following conditions;
- JetLag
- Sleepingon one’s back
- Insomnia
- Stress
- Bipolardisorder
- Nighttimeleg cramps and
- Substanceabuse
Sleep ParalysisSymptoms.
The symptoms of this disorder are usually the same in allsufferers. Episodes of sleep paralysis can last from a few seconds to severalminutes. Symptoms include;
- TheInability to move
- Feelingof being choked or suffocated
- Seeingfigures and shadows in the dark
- Feelingsof levitation
Sleep paralysisand hypnagogic sleep.
Whenever you sleep the body relaxes, most times you do notnotice the ‘fall’. But if you become aware during this stage you will get thefeeling of being paralyzed.
Sleep paralysis andhypnopompic sleep.
During the sleep cycle, the human body alternates betweenNREM (Non Rapid Eye Movement) and REM (Rapid Eye Movement). Each cycle of REMand NREM last for about 90 minutes. NREM takes up more of your sleep time;during NREM the body replenishes itself. After NREM the body shifts to REMsleep. During REM the muscles are turned off. If you wake up before REM sleepis finished, you will find that you will feel paralyzed.
Cure/Treatment forsleep paralysis.
Usually all you need do is re-establish a regularsleep pattern. Patients ought to be taught how to work out a normal sleeppattern. Usually if one is not sleep deprived the symptoms can be reduced. Alsosleep paralysis can be a symptom of narcolepsy and should if it is it should betreated as such.
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