Sleep paralysis

What is jathoom?

Al-Jathoom is a condition scientifically known as “Sleep Paralysis”, a condition in which a person suffers from a temporary inability to move that occurs immediately after falling asleep or waking up.

A person remains conscious during a seizure, which often involves disturbing hallucinations and a sense of suffocation, according to the Sleep Foundation.

Episodes of sleep paralysis include elements of sleep and wakefulness, which explains why they cause unpleasant symptoms.

Symptoms of the jathoom

Sleep paralysis is a condition defined by a brief loss of muscle control, known as atonia, that occurs immediately after falling asleep or waking up.

In addition to the weakness, people often have hallucinations during episodes of sleep paralysis.

Sleep paralysis is classified as a type of parasomnia, which are abnormal behaviors during sleep.

Because it is associated with the "rapid eye movement" (REM) phase of the sleep cycle, sleep paralysis is a symptom of REM parasomnia.

Researchers believe that sleep paralysis involves a mixed state of consciousness that mixes wakefulness with REM sleep.

What are the types of sleep paralysis?

Isolated sleep paralysis occurs when the episodes are not related to the primary diagnosis of narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that prevents the brain from properly controlling wakefulness and often leads to sleep paralysis.

How does a person feel in sleep paralysis?

The primary symptom of sleep paralysis is weakness or inability to move the body.

This occurs shortly after falling asleep or waking up, and during an episode the person feels awake and is aware of a loss of muscle control.

It is estimated that 75% of sleep paralysis episodes involve hallucinations that differ from typical dreams.

How long does a bout of jathoom last?

An attack can last from a few seconds to about 20 minutes, and the average duration is between 6 and 7 minutes.

In most cases, the seizures go away on their own, but sometimes they are interrupted by the touch or sound of another person, or by intense effort to trigger this debilitation.

How common is sleep paralysis?

Estimates vary, but researchers believe that about 8% of people experience sleep paralysis at some point in their lives.

Sleep paralysis can occur at any age, but the first symptoms most often appear in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood (from 7 to 25 years).

After onset in the teen years, seizures may occur more frequently in your 20s and 30s.

What causes sleep paralysis?

The exact cause of sleep paralysis is unknown.

Studies have examined the data for what is associated with an increased risk of sleep paralysis and found mixed results.

Researchers believe that multiple factors contribute to triggering sleep paralysis.

Higher rates of sleep paralysis have been reported by people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which breathing stops during sleep.

It was also found that sleep paralysis is more common in people who suffer from nocturnal leg cramps.

According to the Medlineplus database of the US National Library of Health, the exact cause of sleep paralysis is not fully known, but research shows a link to factors such as:

Not getting enough sleep.

Having an irregular sleep schedule, as is the case with shift workers.

mental pressure.

Sleep on your back.

Some medical problems can be associated with sleep paralysis:

Sleep disturbances, such as narcolepsy.

Certain psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder.

Use of certain medications.

For her part, Associate Professor Fosun Domaç, a faculty member at the Turkish University of Health Sciences, said that stress and poor sleep quality are among the main causes of sleep paralysis, in statements to Anatolia.

Is sleep paralysis a serious problem?

For most people, sleep paralysis is not a serious problem, and it is classified as a benign condition and usually does not occur frequently enough to cause major health problems.

However, an estimated 10% of people experience frequent or disturbing episodes that make sleep paralysis particularly troublesome.

As a result, they may develop negative thoughts about going to bed, reduce the time allotted to sleep or feel anxious about bedtime;

This makes sleeping more difficult.

Sleep deprivation can lead to excessive sleepiness and many other consequences for a person's overall health.

What is the treatment of sleep paralysis?

Domaç said that the phenomenon of sleep paralysis, which is not accompanied by any other conditions or diseases, does not require medical treatment, and can be avoided by regulating sleep times, avoiding stress and lack of sleep, and engaging in activities that help relax before bed.

The first step in treating sleep paralysis is to talk to your doctor to identify and treat underlying problems that may be contributing to the frequency or severity of episodes.

For example, this may include treatment for narcolepsy or steps to better control sleep apnea.

Because of the relationship between sleep paralysis and general sleep problems, improving sleep quality is important.

Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon that occurs when a person is temporarily unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. It is often accompanied by a sense of pressure on the chest, difficulty breathing, and vivid hallucinations. Sleep paralysis is classified as a sleep disorder and can be a frightening experience for those who go through it.

During normal sleep, your brain sends signals to inhibit movement to prevent acting out your dreams. In sleep paralysis, this mechanism continues even as you wake up, leading to a temporary inability to move or speak. It usually lasts for a few seconds to a couple of minutes, but it can feel much longer.

The exact cause of sleep paralysis is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle. Some common triggers and risk factors include:

Sleep deprivation: Lack of sufficient sleep or irregular sleep patterns can increase the likelihood of experiencing sleep paralysis.

Irregular sleep schedule: Frequent changes in sleep patterns, such as shift work or jet lag, can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle and contribute to sleep paralysis.

Sleep disorders: Conditions like narcolepsy, insomnia, and sleep apnea have been associated with an increased risk of sleep paralysis.

Sleep position: Sleeping on your back may increase the likelihood of experiencing sleep paralysis.

Stress and anxiety: High levels of stress and anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to sleep paralysis.

While sleep paralysis itself is not considered harmful, the hallucinations and intense fear associated with it can be distressing. To manage sleep paralysis, you can try the following:

Maintain a regular sleep schedule: Establishing a consistent sleep routine can help regulate your sleep patterns and reduce the occurrence of sleep paralysis.

Improve sleep hygiene: Create a sleep-friendly environment by ensuring a comfortable mattress, reducing noise and light, and avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime.

Manage stress: Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to reduce stress levels before bed.

Sleep on your side: Sleeping on your side can reduce the likelihood of experiencing sleep paralysis compared to sleeping on your back.

Seek treatment for underlying sleep disorders: If you suspect an underlying sleep disorder, such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea, consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.