A Few Pointers About Why REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Episodes Occur
REM sleep behavior disorder is in fact a form of parasomnia that causes a person to enact their dreams which make them then move their limbs in the same way that they are doing in their dreams. Some of these dreams can lead a person to begin flailing their arms and legs in a manner that will make these REM sleep behavior disorder episodes result in the individual even hurting themselves as well as their bed partners.
Dream Stage
REM is the short form of rapid eye movement which describes the last stages of a person s sleep which is also referred to as dream stage. In this phase, a person starts to dream of things and at the same time can often also become paralyzed which will then cause the body to shut down its normal functions. When REM sleep behavior disorder episodes take place the person is not affected by paralysis and this explains why in REM sleep behavior disorder episodes an individual can continue doing physical type of actions.
Because REM sleep only occurs about an hour to ninety minutes after having fallen asleep the REM sleep behavior disorder episodes will also only begin after this much time has elapsed. What s more, different people experience varying degrees and numbers of REM sleep behavior disorder episodes with some experiencing the episodes each night while others might only experience these episodes once in seven days or perhaps even more infrequently.
However, it is necessary that you be able to distinguish REM sleep behavior disorder episodes from sleepwalking and talking in the sleep as well as sleep terrors. What s more, REM sleep behavior disorder episodes are also not the same as seizures that occur at night and these episodes are also distinct than limb movements that occur periodically though at the same time it must also be mentioned that during REM sleep behavior disorder episodes a person can experience sleepwalking and other similar forms of night movements.
Often, REM sleep behavior disorder episodes begin in a mild manner and nobody will even notice these episodes until and unless they become more violent and noticeable. These REM sleep behavior disorder episodes are also distinct than sleep terror disorders. The latter form of sleep disorders are generally reported by friends as well as by family members who notice that an individual wakes up from sleep and will act very frightened and will also appear to be very scared as well. This kind of sleep disorder is however in fact also another form of parasomnia.