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Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or
speak that happens when you're waking up or, less
commonly, falling asleep. Although you're awake,
your body is briefly paralysed, after which you can
move and speak as normal. The paralysis can last
from a few seconds to several minutes.
Sleep paralysis doesn't cause you any harm, but
being unable to move can be very frightening.
Sleep paralysis can affect men and women of any age
group. The average age when it first occurs is 14 to
17 years. It is a fairly common sleep problem.
Estimates of how many people have it vary widely
from 5% to 40%. You may be more likely to have it if
a relative also has it.
Some people have sleep paralysis once or twice in
their life, while others experience it a few times a
month or more regularly.
Sleep paralysis can affect people of all ages, but
it's more common in teenagers and young adults. Men
and women are equally affected.
What causes sleep paralysis?
It's normal for your muscles to be paralysed at
certain times when you're asleep. Sleep paralysis
occurs when the mechanism that causes your muscles
to relax during sleep temporarily persists after
you've woken up.
During rapid eye movement (REM) sleep the brain has
vivid dreams, while the muscles of the body are
essentially turned off. While sleeping, the muscles
are unable to move so that the person won't be able
to act out dreams with their body. Sleep paralysis
happens when a person wakes up before REM is
finished. The person will be conscious, but the
body's ability to move hasn't been turned back on
yet.
Sleep paralysis can sometimes be a symptom of
narcolepsy. This is a relatively rare sleep
disorder, which causes severe disruption to the
sleep-wake cycle. An inability to stay awake for
more than three or four hours is usually the main
symptom.
Other things that increase your risk of getting
sleep paralysis include:
A
lack of sleep can make you more likely to have sleep
paralysis. It is also more likely if you have a
sleep schedule that often changes.
Mental stress may also be a factor. It seems to
occur more often when you sleep on your back.
It may also be related to any of the following
factors:
If
you have sleep paralysis you can improve your sleep,
such as keeping to a regular sleeping routine and
creating a restful sleeping environment.
If your symptoms are severe or possibly linked to
another sleep-related condition, such as narcolepsy,
your GP may refer you to a sleep disorder
specialist.
The
symptoms of sleep paralysis can often be improved by
altering your sleep habits and sleeping environment.
Sleep
paralysis often affects people who are sleep
deprived, so ensuring you get enough sleep may
reduce the number of episodes you have. Most adults
need six to eight hours of good quality sleep each
night.
Going
to bed at roughly the same time each night and
getting up at the same time each morning may also
help.
For
more information
NHS Choices
Link...
American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Link...
MDN |