Neurologist named possible causes of sleep paralysis
A sudden awakening and the inability to move, an overwhelming feeling of fear that can turn into panic — this is how sleep paralysis usually manifests itself. Maxim Pankov, a neurologist at the Sberbank Health medical company, told Izvestia on September 16 what this condition is, why it occurs, and whether sleep paralysis needs to be treated.
"Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak. It occurs immediately after falling asleep or waking up. Although the states of sleep and wakefulness are usually clearly defined and distinguishable, sleep paralysis can erase these boundaries," the doctor explained.
Sleep consists of cycles with successive phases of slow and fast sleep. In the REM sleep phase, dreams usually occur, and the brain shuts down movements so that a person cannot harm himself. During an attack of sleep paralysis, a malfunction occurs when the boundaries between sleep and reality can blur. A person wakes up, but his motor functions are still disabled, he realizes the inability to move, and therefore panic occurs.
Most often, sleep paralysis ends on its own, but sometimes it is interrupted by another person's touch or voice. An intense effort to move an arm, leg, or otherwise move can also bring you out of this state. As the doctor explained, episodes of sleep paralysis can last from a few seconds to 20 minutes, and the average duration of such a condition is about six minutes. After an attack, a person may experience fatigue or drowsiness.
"The main thing is to realize that this is temporary and will definitely pass. And if such a state arose at the moment of a pleasant dream, you can try to enjoy the moment," the specialist noted.
The exact cause of sleep paralysis is unknown. But you need to understand that there are a number of predisposing factors. These include, first of all, serious sleep disorders: obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by repeated breathing delays; nocturnal leg cramps. If sleep paralysis occurs against the background of such phenomena, you should consult a doctor.
Seizures can also be affected by people who have chronic insomnia, dysregulation of circadian rhythms, narcolepsy — episodes of falling asleep without warning at the wrong time, excessive drowsiness during the day, or sudden loss of muscle tone when experiencing strong emotions. Sleep paralysis can also be experienced, for example, by patients with anxiety disorders. In addition, an attack can occur in people who have been subjected to severe physical and emotional stress. There is a certain tendency to sleep paralysis in people with a rich imagination, dreamers, but this fact has not yet been fully investigated.
"For most people, sleep paralysis is not considered dangerous. Although it can cause emotional stress, this condition usually happens rarely without causing significant health consequences," the neurologist explained.
However, if sleep paralysis attacks often recur and cause anxiety, especially if the behavior pattern changes, for example, there is a fear of sleep that prevents you from getting enough sleep, this is a reason to consult a doctor. It is also worth consulting with a doctor at an in-person appointment or online consultation if other unpleasant symptoms appear along with the signs of sleep paralysis, which may indicate various diseases, especially those that are risk factors. The neurologist will examine the problem and prescribe additional examination if necessary.
In an interview with Izvestia on August 27, Marina Gadzhieva, a neurologist and a leading specialist in the Semeynaya clinic network, reported on the close relationship between chronic stress and insomnia and the risk of developing cardiovascular disasters. According to her, when faced with a stressful situation, the body triggers the ancient "fight or flight" reaction.
All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
