It is estimated that up to 60% of the population experiences the phenomenon called sleep paralysis at some point throughout his life. It is a sleep disorder that falls within the category of parasomnias (behavioral disorders during sleep related to brief episodes of awakening).
Throughout this article we are going to define it, explore its causes, symptoms and what its effects may be.
What is sleep paralysis?
It is a sleep disorder in which the person is unable to perform voluntary movements, such as moving or speaking. It’s a incomplete awakening that occurs in the transitions between sleep and wakefulness.
The person who suffers from this type of condition is cognitively awake, but experiences paralysis of all voluntary muscles, except for the eyes and breathing. He is not able to move or ask for help.
Generally, it is short episodes which usually range from 20 seconds to two minutes. Afterwards, the experience subsides without major consequences.
Symptoms
Sleep paralysis does not affect vital functions such as breathing or heartbeat.
However, the sensation is unpleasant and can cause anxiety and a feeling of suffocation, although, in reality, there is no risk of drowning for the person.
Hallucinations or pseudohallucinations may also appear, especially of a sensory and visual type.
Causes of sleep paralysis
The causes of this phenomenon continue to be investigated and are not entirely clear. It is frequently attributed to a lack of coordination between certain areas of the brain and the nervous system responsible for sending orders to the voluntary control muscles.
Three causes have been described that can lead to developing this disorder:
- Associated with another pathology: It can function as a symptom of another illness, especially narcolepsy (chronic sleep disorder characterized by extreme daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks).
- Related to severe sleep deprivation: occurs in healthy subjects subjected to this problem.
- hereditary: Family history as an explanation for sleep paralysis is less common.
He stressto the extent that you can develop sleep deprivation, is considered a triggering factor.
Effects
If this disorder appears as an isolated symptom, it should not require further attention or need treatment. If it lasts three or four weeks, significantly alters sleep and represents a loss of quality of life, it will be necessary to see a specialist.
As we have mentioned, sleep paralysis, in itself, does not pose health risks. However, its negative effects are found in the subject’s own perception and experience of unpleasant sensations.
The person may become scared, thinking that it is a stroke or other type of brain accident, or thinking that they are going crazy by experiencing hallucinations, or that they are suffocating, etc.
Rest is essential to prevent this type of pathology: maintain stable sleep patterns and sleep at least seven hours a day.
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