What is Sleep Paralysis?
Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. During these episodes, individuals are in a state of consciousness while the muscle atonia of REM (rapid eye movement) phase of sleep is maintained. Patients feel immobilized, as though their body is "frozen." While these episodes are brief, typically lasting a few seconds to about 20 minutes, it can lead to a state of intense fear as the patient is unable to move any part of their body.Symptoms of Sleep Paralysis:
The most common symptoms of sleep paralysis are:- Inability to Move: Being in a state of consciousness while muscle function is voluntarily lost.
- Hallucinations: Many people experience vivid dreams and they lose their sense of reality and apprehensions. Some people have intruder hallucinations where they feel the presence of an entity and some experience the incubus phenomenon.
- Difficulty Breathing: Some individuals feel as though there is pressure on their chest or throat and they start suffocating.
- State of Panic: Intense fear is common during these episodes due to the inability to move or distinguish reality from hallucinations.
Causes of Sleep Paralysis:
Any condition can be tackled if we are aware of the underlying causes. Here are some common factors that contribute to sleep paralysis:-
- Sleep Disorders: Conditions like insomnia, narcolepsy or sleep apnea or unhealthy sleep patterns can lead to sleep paralysis.
- Mental Conditions: High stress or anxiety levels can disrupt REM sleep making you more vulnerable to sleep paralysis.
- Genetics: Family history of sleep paralysis is likely to pass down.
- Sleeping Position: Back sleepers are more likely to have sleep paralysis.
- Substance Abuse: Excessive alcoholism, consumption of drugs or other psychedelics increases your risk of sleep paralysis.
- Consumption of Certain Medications: Consuming medications to treat conditions such as ADHD can lead to sleep paralysis.
Diagnosis of Sleep Paralysis:
The diagnosis of acute sleep paralysis should be conducted by a healthcare specialist. These are some ways in which the diagnosis are conducted:- Patient History: Documenting episodes, sleep patterns, and associated symptoms.
- Sleep Study: In some cases, a polysomnography (an overnight sleep study) or a multiple latency test (MSLT) may be conducted to identify underlying sleep patterns.
- Mental Health Evaluation: Stress and anxiety are one of the leading contributors when it comes to sleep paralysis. Therefore, underlying mental health issues must be assessed to understand the occurrence of sleep paralysis.
Can Sleep Paralysis Cause Death?
Sleep paralysis is not fatal but can lead to conditions that are health hazardous. This is a parasomnia that may lead to narcolepsy and high levels of anxiety. Some episodes almost feel like real life experiences due to vivid hallucinations. This can be an extremely intense and frightening experience. Narcolepsy can lead to daytime drowsiness and loss of muscle control. Sleep paralysis can cause emotional distress and prolonged episodes can lead to anxiety and depression.Treatment of Sleep Paralysis
Although sleep paralysis can be unsettling, it is not inherently harmful. For those wondering, "is sleep paralysis fatal?", the answer is usually no. These are some lifestyle shifts that can be useful in treating sleep paralysis:- Healthy Sleep Habits: Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep everyday. Improving your sleep hygiene is highly recommended.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing for stress relief.
- Lifestyle Changes: Limiting caffeine intake throughout the day and avoiding consumption of caffeine post 6 pm. Avoiding large meals before bed can also help improve sleep quality.
