Fighting sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis is a typical phenomenon in which a person is temporarily incapable of moving or responding to anything; while falling asleep or just before waking up from deep sleep. People who suffer from this, define sleep paralysis as a temporary condition of partial paralysis, where they are unable to move or speak just when they are falling into sleep or when they are slowly trying to wake up. This condition of short term paralysis where the body refuses to move, even when one is completely awake, is accompanied with strong hallucinations, choking and sometimes imaginary visions. It is due to this, that sleep paralysis is often wrongly associated with demonic activities. What Causes sleep paralysis? Muscle movements temporarily seize when we are under deep sleep. This is important so that we don't in-act our dreams while sleeping. However, when this natural process is disturbed and our muscles remain inactive even after our brain is completely awake; sleep paralysis is said to have occurred. There can be multitude of reasons that relate to a person's inability to seamlessly transit from various sleep stages and finally reach the state of complete wakefulness. To understand causes of sleep paralysis, one should first understand the REM sleep state. REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement): REM is one of the five sleep stages that sleepers go through. Interrupted REM phase is held as the prime cause of Sleep Paralysis. REM phase is characterized as a state when a person is very likely to have vivid dreams. And therefore, the muscular movement of the body is naturally seized, so that we don't in act our dreams. During this phase, our eyes, lungs and diaphragm (due to breathing process) are seen to “move;” while the rest of the body is inactive. In short, REM stage drives people to a state when one is otherwise conscious but has no physical movement. Sleep paralysis is experienced when our brain is completely awake; however, our body seizes to come out of this REM state that has no physical movement. When the brain and body are not in sink and causes sleep paralysis while falling asleep, it is known as Hypnogogic. And when the same scenario is experienced while awakening, it is known as Hypnopompic. Some of the major reasons that can lead to a disrupted REM phase thereby causing Sleep Paralysis are:

• Sleep deprivation
• Genetics or Family disorders
• Acute Migraines
• Anxiety disorders
• Irregular or poor sleeping schedule
• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Mental stress
• Excessive use of stimulants
• Sleeping in supine position

How to prevent Sleep Paralysis? Sleep Paralysis in an early stage can be prevented by making some small yet significant modifications in our lifestyle.

• A regular sleeping schedule and constant hours of sleep can greatly reduce this Sleep disorder
• Avoiding physical exercises just before going to bed also helps
• Fighting mental stress and trauma
• Avoiding bright light just a couple of hours before sleep
• Limited consumption of nicotine, caffeine and alcohol is highly suggested
• Not changing the sleeping area very frequently

All of the above mentioned are tips that can help people cure themselves from initial stages of sleep paralysis. However, if situations go worse, then one should invariably seek medical attention. Sleep Paralysis – Treatment: Apparently no medicine or surgeries are available for treating Sleep paralysis. However, a clinical diagnosis and treating mental disorder if any can perhaps help in treating this disorder. However, most of the above mentioned tips and life style changes can bring out a fast and effective result. Sleep paralysis is however not fatal or physically harmful. However, experiencing this condition where someone is restricted to move even when awake is definitely scary. Experts say that if Sleep paralysis goes unattended for quite some days then it can drag people into huge mental traumas. Unfortunately, sleep paralysis is more common with teenagers and youngsters. Therefore, treating this problem immediately after it is realized is crucial for their overall wellbeing.