What Is Parasomnia?
Parasomnias are sleep disorders characterized by disruptive and undesirable behaviors. These behaviors include:
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Sleep Talking
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Sleepwalking
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Night terrors and nightmares
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REM sleep behavior disorder
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Confusional arousals
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Sleep paralysis
Are these disorders dangerous?
Some disorders, such as sleep talking, typically don’t threaten a person’s health. However, others such as sleepwalking can. A person who is walking while not fully cognoscente of his or her surroundings can easily have an accident. Night terrors or nightmares may not pose physical danger, but can be emotionally disturbing and disrupt sleep, causing daytime fatigue.
“Sleep soothes and arrest the fever-pulse of the soul.” – Eliza Cook
How are parasomnias treated?
At Bluepoint Medical our experienced sleep medicine specialists utilize a variety of approaches to remedying parasomnias. Depending on the individual’s symptoms, age and situation, treatment can include:
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Creating a healthy sleep routine, including keeping a regular sleep schedule, implementing a relaxing bedtime regime, and making sure to get enough sleep.
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Lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise and stress management techniques.
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Medications may be prescribed drug therapies that are used to control symptom