What is Sleep Paralysis?

Summary of Sleep Paralysis

Episodes of sleep paralysis are indeed terrifying and the person who suffers from this ailment is unable to move around or call for help. It is vital to seek proper medical care, once the symptoms are recognized to prevent more serious problems.

Imagine if you can’t move when sleeping! How terrifying it can be.Sleep paralysis is quite a disturbing phenomenon and a person suffering from it, is unable to move while sleeping, as he or she experiences partial paralysis even when fully conscious. There is no particular reason as to why this affects some people and not others. However, for those who have experienced it, it can be quite unpleasant. Some of them may even hesitate in seeking help as they are unsure of how to describe this peculiar condition.

People with this disorder experience sleep apnea when they are just about to fall asleep or have just woken up from a sleep. Their whole body seems to be possessed by some external force. This quite naturally arouses fear when one notices the inability to move the body for no apparent reason whatsoever. For people facing such issues when sleeping, it can appear to be even supernatural at first instance.

In sleep apnea, a whooshing reverberation in the ears, an increase in heart rate, panic and a feeling of being trapped in the room are some common symptoms experienced. Struggle for breath, sound of whispers in the ears and a feeling of floating in the air are some common things that happen when sleeping as experienced by people suffering from this sleep disorder. It is advisable to seek timely help in case any of the said symptoms are noticed. A number of effective drugs are available that help in regulating sleep patterns and promote steady sleep cycles.

November 11, 2008 at 6:57 pm by admin | Category: sleep paralysis, sleeping disorders | Tags: , , , ,

10 Comments zu “What is Sleep Paralysis?”

  1. What is Sleep Paralysis? | arthritisgolf.com
    11-11-2008 @ 23:29

    [...] What is Sleep Paralysis?Read more [...]


  2. Simplyme
    11-12-2008 @ 00:38

    Sleep paralysis is a terrifying thing to experience. My eldest brother (35) suffers from this condition and has been hesitant to seek help for it for fear someone thinks he is crazy. I had not heard much about it so I appreciate you taking the time to write such an informative article.


  3. Robin Green
    11-12-2008 @ 15:53

    I had heard of this before. It was told to me that you felt awake yet still asleep. Are they different?


  4. jimmys devoted
    11-13-2008 @ 02:27

    My husband had a single episode of sleep paralysis. It was scary enough for him to be cautious. I know so many doctors say its something that is made up, but according to the MERCK diagnostic handbook they explain it as the body releaseing too much brain chemical for normal sleep paralysis.
    They have had some luck with two new drugs, but they are only available at sleep clinics who treat this seriously.


  5. lilymom24
    11-16-2008 @ 10:32

    I have never heard of sleep paralysis before but I can imagine it would be a terrifying experience. I can also see why some would feel reluctant to bring it up to their physician. Maybe it would help to print out some information to take in to the dr. appointment with them. I would think a sleep clinic would be aware of this type of disorder if one could get a referral to one.


  6. jhellie_baby
    11-28-2008 @ 04:53

    I know of someone who died when he was sleeping. No one ever knew what caused his death. Some said it was due to sleep paralysis. I’m just a bit confused. Can sleep paralysis really cause death? Can it go to an extent that your respiratory organs are also paralyzed during the episode?


  7. julia
    12-4-2008 @ 15:27

    There are four chemicals that are released by the brain during sleep. One acts like anesthesia and paralysis your body just enough to prevent problems. One complication is when this chemical is released as is the other three sleep apnea can become a normal event. If a person is not monitored for reduced respiration during sleep, during the paralysis phase it can be affected and he fails to wake up.
    Hence a person can die not form paralysis itself but from secondary complications of the sleep process.
    There is a however another explanation more religious in nature about sleep paralysis. I suggest that you google the idea of sleep possession. There is a an entire set of cases, documented that cannot be explained in any other way other than sleep possession.

    julie


  8. Orrymain
    12-7-2008 @ 09:05

    Wow — you know, I think I’ve had this. There are times in my life when I feel almost awake. I want to move, but I can’t. Sometimes, I think I’m still dreaming and about to be hurt or something. It’s a very panicky feeling, and I remember it well. I’m always relieved when I actually do wake up. It doesn’t happen a lot, and it hasn’t happened in a very long time, but I sure know what it feels like.


  9. ZammaJannan
    12-16-2008 @ 05:44

    I never knew this was serious!!! I’ve had this happen many times. I just thought it was a strange thing. I had no idea I could die from it. Thanks for the article. I’m going to talk to my doctor.


  10. Wildwoman
    12-16-2008 @ 18:06

    I heard about this while studying for an exam. It is quite scary. Is there any medicines commonly used for this disorder? I would love to read more about this.


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