Exploding head and paralysis with hallucinations: the most frightening sleep disorders

Sleep is meant to rest, relax, and regenerate the body.That's all right

transitions from wakefulness to cycles of deep slow-wave sleep, followed byDreaming-filled REM phase: Violation of the boundaries of these three phases of arousal leads toto nightmares and other illnesses.

sleeping beauty syndrome

A rare neurological disorder knownlike Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) or sleeping beauty syndrome, is characterized by excessive sleep, "scattered" behavior, and confusion. It is noteworthy that, according to the National Institutes of Health, about 70% of patients are teenage boys.

The syndrome manifests itself in "waves":at first, a person sleeps most of the day and night (hence the name), in the intervals between such episodes, the person seems to be completely healthy. However, over time, in the waking state, the patient becomes confused, disoriented, and lethargic. Many patients with LCL report that the world seems "out of focus" and some cases are associated with uncontrolled sex drive.

Although the cause is unknown, some scientists believe that a malfunction in the hypothalamus, which helps regulate sleep and body temperature, may play a role. There is no cure.

exploding head syndrome

First term for exploding head syndrome (ESS)appeared in 1988. American doctors drew attention to a new sleep disorder in some patients. With this disorder, it is very difficult for a person to fall asleep: during this process, a loud noise appears in the head, which resembles the sound of an explosion in the brain (hence the name).

Noise can also occur during deep sleep.To a person who hears them, it seems that the explosions occur either right next to the head, or inside the skull itself. There is no pain or danger either. Doctors do not know what causes exploding head syndrome, but they have determined that it is not associated with any serious medical condition. Some experts suggest that the cause is stress and fatigue.

It used to be thought that only the elderly suffered from CVS, but a study by scientists from the University of Washington found that it is also common among young people.

sleep paralysis

During REM sleep, dreaming activity increases and the voluntary muscles of the body become immobile.This temporary paralysis protects the person.However, sometimes it persists even after the person wakes up.

Often, sleep paralysis is complicated by severe andfrightening hallucinations. Patients have reported a sense of the presence of evil, as well as a feeling of being crushed or suffocated. This is what has immortalized sleep paralysis in folklore around the world. The inhabitants of Newfoundland call him the "old witch", in China - the "pressing ghost". In Russia, sleep paralysis was associated with brownies, mara and kikimora.

Although sleep is an important parthuman life, scientists do not fully know how and why disturbances occur in this process. For example, doctors believe that an "exploding head" can be cured by rest. But it is impossible to say something for sure about any of the disorders.

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