Sleep Paralysis – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Researchers about sleep stated that, in different situations, the term “sleep paralysis” refers to the unmoving body of a person throughout his or her different sleep phases. It is very uncommon for a person to experience sleep paralysis that is associated with psychiatric issues.

As time passes by, the signs and symptoms that you can notice on sleep paralysis have been determined in several methods and are usually considered as the “evil presence.” Most cultures all over the world have their stories about the evil and shadowy creatures that frightened the helpless individual during their nighttime sleep. But, what is a sleep paralysis?

Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis is the condition of a person’s body that is awake but can’t move. This condition usually occurs when a person passes through the phases between sleep and wakefulness.

During this period, you may feel frightened because you can’t move your body or even utter a single word within a few minutes. Some who experience sleep paralysis might feel of being choked. This condition of your body is also associated with different sleeping issues, including narcolepsy.

This kind of sleep issue, narcolepsy, is an overwhelming necessity of sleep that is resulted by an issue associated with the ability of the brain to control a person’s sleep.

What are the Causes of Sleep Paralysis?

4 out of 10 individuals may suffer from sleep paralysis. This is a usual sleeping condition that usually occurs during the stage of puberty. But both male and female can have it whether they are young or old. This condition may be because of genes. The following are some of the causes that may result from sleeping paralysis condition.

Substance abuse

• Usage of different medicines, including those medications for ADHD

• Other types of sleeping disorders including nighttime leg cramps and narcolepsy

• Sleeping on the back

• Mental issues, including bipolar disorder and stress

• Changes in sleep schedule

• Not enough sleeping time

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Paralysis

If you notice that once you are awake and cannot move your body or speak a single word within a few minutes, then you have sleep paralysis. And in some cases, this condition does not require any medications or treatments. If you experience one of the following, then its time for you to consult your doctor immediately.

• The signs and symptoms of sleep paralysis keep you awake every midnight.

• The signs and symptoms of sleep paralysis make you feel exhausted throughout the day.

• You usually feel concerned about the signs and symptoms of sleep paralysis you usually feel.

Your professional usually wants to ask you for some information about the quality of your sleep and your lifestyle. The following are some of the possible questions that your doctor may ask you:

• Ask you about the signs and symptoms you feel and recommend you to have a sleeping journal within a few weeks.

• Ask about the history of your health, such as the different types of sleep disorders you recently experienced and your family history about sleeping issues.

It is advised you to consult a specialist to evaluate further. You should perform some daytime sleep studies or overnight nap studies to ensure that you don’t have another type of sleeping problem.

How to Treat Sleep Paralysis?

As mentioned earlier, most people who have sleep paralysis does not require any treatments or medications. Treatment for narcolepsy and any other types of sleep disorders can be treated, but not this one. Treatment for narcolepsy will also help you to avoid the feeling of being anxious and improve your sleep quality. The following are the treatments and medications for sleep paralysis if necessary.

• Treatment for any associated sleep disorder with sleep paralysis, including leg cramps or narcolepsy

• Treatment for different types of mental health issues that are linked to sleep paralysis

• Usage of different types of antidepressant medicines – if it is recommended to you by a professional, will help you to have control in your sleeping cycles

• Improve your habits of sleeping, including ensuring that you will get 6 hours to 9 hours of sleep every night.

How to Prevent Sleep Paralysis

You can prevent experiencing sleep paralysis if you have enough sleep. Consider changing your position during sleep and ensure that you will see your doctor if this condition affects the quality of your sleep.

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