“Sleep Paralysis” is a disease associated with, another disease named ”Narcolepsy”. Sleep Paralysis is the inability to perform voluntary movements either while sleeping, called “Predormital” or upon awakening from sleeping, called “Posdormital”- Sleep Paralysis. Sleep Paralysis is in someways similar to “Nightmares”. Some people have “ Sleep Parlaysis” without “Narcolepsy” also.
The following are the symptoms of “Sleep Paralysis”:-
- Complaint of inability to move the trunk or limbs while sleeping or upon awakening
- Presence of partial or complete skeletal muscle paralysis
- Suppression of skeletal muscle tone
- Sleep onset REM period
- Dissociated REM sleep
Sleep Paralysis is not harmful but the people affected with the disease will have a fear, as they are unaware of what is happening during their sleep and just after awakening from sleep. The temporary paralysis is often terminated by a sound or a touch on the body. In some cases people affected by “Sleep Paralysis” will feel as if someone or something is sitting on their chest and hold them tight so that they could not move, despite their trying to move their limbs. This will cause anxiety and fear but there will be no physical harm to their body. This is called “Hag Phenomena” which prevails over centuries and there is no explanation for the same. Some people with disrupted sleep timings experience this Sleep Paralysis. To minimize “Sleep Paralysis” the affected people must follow a good sleep hygiene with the following:-
- Enough sleep
- Reduced stress
- Regular simple moderate exercises well before going to bed
- Regular Sleep schedule
If the disease continues for six months with more frequency, medical consultation and medication will be necessary.