Are You Suffering From a REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?

Partners of those suffering from sleep disorders find themselves on the receiving end of involuntary activity associated with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. You or your partner may have this condition if there is kicking in bed or talking while sleeping. More often than not, the occurrence of REM sleep behavior disorder is simply a minor inconvenience, much like the twitching you see in a sleeping dog. However, if the symptoms become more pronounced there may be a serious problem.

The Cause

The manifestations of REM sleep behavior disorder are completely involuntary and should not occur during the REM stage of sleep. During REM sleep, the body normally goes through a sort of paralysis that inhibits motion. This paralysis acts as a sort of defense from a person acting out his or her dreams and causing injury.

By contrast, when someone is suffering from REM sleep behavior disorder, paralysis is absent. This results in a range of movement that can be as simple as a little twitching to punching, kicking, even jumping out of bed. When these motions develop to the point that they're violent, this disorder becomes a true problem.

Recovering

You will need to take steps to minimize the dangers of your symptoms until your treatment for REM sleep behavior disorder begins to take effect. Remove anything dangerous from the immediate area of your bed, including lamps, your night stand, and anything that can potentially be hit while flailing around. By doing so, you will minimize the bruising and fractures that can occur in those suffering from REM sleep behavior disorder.

Another precaution is to clear the floor beside the bed and to place cushions on the floor in case you roll out of bed. Unfortunately, until you receive treatment, it's best to ask your bed mate to sleep somewhere else, or for you to sleep elsewhere instead, so that injury to them is minimized.

Aside from these practical steps, there is a drug called called clonazepam which seems to be effective. It works by forcing the muscles to relax while sleeping. People have used this drug for many years with no ill effects.

Something to be aware of is that REM sleep behavior disorder can be a sign of the presence of other ailments such as Parkinson's disease or dementia. Be sure be sure to discuss options for testing for these possibly related disorders with your doctor. The worst thing you can do is to do nothing. There is help available, and you can find relief from REM sleep behavior disorder.

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