Seven Causes and Effects of Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis occurs when you cannot move or talk (NHS UK, 2021). When you start waking up or are in a deep slumber. Scholars think that around 8% of people sometime in their life face sleep paralysis. There is limited evidence among these persons about the frequency of incidents.

It can be frightening, but benign. And only one or twice in a lifetime would most individuals get it. While in sleep paralysis, one may feel conscious yet not be able to move. One is unable to talk or open their eyes. Like someone is in the room. The sensations might linger for a few minutes.

Sleep paralysis
According to an assignment help firm, sleep paralysis could happen anytime and anywhere. The causes of sleep paralysis are unknown yet, as research is still in process. Sleep paralysis is a disorder that occurs immediately after slumber. Or after waking up. It is caused by a temporary muscular loss known as atonia. Apart from atonia, hallucinations also occur frequently. During sleep paralysis spells, the sleep paralysis state is classified as a type of parasomnia. Parasomnia is aberrant sleep behaviour. It is associated with the sleeping cycle's rapid eye movement. Whereas sleep paralysis is regarded as an insomnia of the REM system.

Researchers thus think that sleep paralysis includes a combination. Combination of awakening and sleep REM. In fact, REM sleep appears to persist atonia and mental picture. Even in a state of awakening and consciousness.

Causes and Effects of Sleep Paralysis

It is not understood exactly why sleep paralysis occurs. Studies have analyzed the evidence for a greater incidence of sleep paralysis. This is where they found conflicting results. Researchers think that several variables lead to sleep paralysis. Which are implicated on the basis of research.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Obs

Most sleep paralysis rates were found in 38% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. A sleeping disorder of recurrent deficiencies was found in their bodies, as reported in one research. Sleep paralysis is found to be more prevalent in people with leg cramps. Sleep paralysis has been shown to be related with insomnia symptoms. Such as a difficult time to get asleep or excessive sleep. Persons whose circadian rhythms do not match their local day-to-day night cycles. For example, jet lag sufferers and shift workers may also be at increased risk for sleep paralysis.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

Some disorders of mental health associated with sleep paralysis are important in this context (Hsieh et al., 2010). People with anxiety disorders, especially panic, appear to encounter the syndrome more often. Some of those are most closely related to childhood sexual violence. And other forms of physical and mental anguish. This includes those with a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and others. Recent data of soldiers coming home from Iraq showed the most common symptoms of PTSD. Symptoms of sleep disorders and related daytime tiredness. Many statistics show, that PTSD is a powerful cause of discomfort.

Alcohol And Antidepressants

Alcohol And Antidepressants
Abrupt withdrawal of alcohol and antidepressants is also found to trigger Sleep Paralysis. Alcohol or antidepressants can also contribute to REM recurrence. Which could also induce sleep paralysis.

Family History

The cheap essay writing service firm’s studies that there was an increased risk in persons with familial history of sleep paralysis. But no particular genetic cause was discovered. During a study, a group of more than 800 siblings were questioned. They were asked if they suffered from sleep paralysis. The results indicated that genetics were partly responsible for the odd problem. Furthermore, the researchers discovered that those in the study who had worry and poor sleep or suffered stress, were more likely to have this paralysis at night.

To determine this, Denis and his colleagues in England used data of 862 twins. Both identical and non-identical as well as other non-twin siblings (Suni and Dimitriu, 2020). They were aged 22 to 32. In the poll, the participants answered that they agreed. That sometimes they have a brief moment when they fall asleep. Or when they wake up, but they think that they are awake and aware. The surveys indicated that they agreed with this statement.

Daydreaming

Some studies have indicated that such people show features that include daydreaming. Imagination and distancing from their immediate surroundings are also evident in their case. This increases their chance of being paralyzed. (Hsieh et al., 2010). Sleep paralysis and intense nightmares, or lucid dreams might also have a connection.

Fear Of Going To Bed

Most people don't have a significant problem with sleep paralysis. It is categorized as a benign disease. And does not generally occur frequently enough to create major health issues. An estimated 10 percent of people suffer more frequent or troubling episodes. As a consequence, negative attitudes about nighttime might be developed.

Excessive Sleepiness

Excessive Sleepiness
Sleep duration is reduced or anxieties might be related to bedding in this aspect. This makes sleeping more difficult. Deprivation of sleep can lead to extreme drowsiness. And many implications for the general health of a person. Sleep paralysis may also happen in conjunction with a narcolepsy sleep condition. Narcolepsy is a persistent neurological disease. It causes disruption to sleep-wake cycles in your brain.

Sleep paralysis is one from the set of narcoleptic symptoms that include sleeping too much. Cataplexy, abrupt and brief muscle weakness are also involved due to emotional stimuli such as laughs or rage. Hypnagogic hallucinations take place while you sleep or wake up as well, which is a part of this concept.

Certain medicines are known to inhibit REM sleep (Medical Encyclopedia, 2021). These can help reduce sleep paralysis. But these drugs may also have adverse effects. When someone quits using them, it may induce recurrence of the REM sleep. It is vital to examine its possible advantages and disadvantages. Consult with a doctor before taking any drug. Sleep paralysis can be countered through proper rest. An average 6 to 8-hours of daily sleep is healthy. Go to bed each day at the same time and wake up at the same time. Regular exercise is good for quality sleep as well.







References

Hsieh, S., Lai, C., Liu, C., Lan, S. and Hsu, C., 2010. Isolated sleep paralysis linked to impaired nocturnal sleep quality and health-related quality of life in Chinese-Taiwanese patients with obstructive sleep apnea. [online] NIH. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20577906/

Medical Encyclopedia, 2021. Sleep paralysis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000801.htm

NHS UK, 2021. Sleep paralysis. [online] nhs.uk. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-paralysis/

Suni, E. and Dimitriu, A., 2020. What You Should Know About Sleep Paralysis - Sleep Foundation. [online] Sleepfoundation.org. Available at: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/parasomnias/sleep-paralysis

Albert Barkley

Hello, my name is Albert Barkley. I am working as education consultant with a UK based firm after completion of my PhD. I like to write on different social, tech and education trends.

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