The Problems of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
How Serious Is This Sleep Disorder?
Sleep disorders come in many different forms, from the relatively harmless snoring to more dangerous conditions such as REM sleep behavior disorder. This disorder is considered to be one of the most dangerous sleeping problems not only to the person suffering from the condition but even to the people around them, due to several reasons.
The most typical manifestation of this disorder is the person’s tendency to act out whatever dreams they may be having, while remaining in a sleeping state. This can become very scary and dangerous particularly if the dreams are violent in nature.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Poses Risks of Physical Injury
REM sleep behavior disorder would not be so harmful or scary if the person’s dreams were more peaceful and calm. But most people who suffer from this condition do have dreams that are quite violent and physical. This poses the greatest risk of physical injury to their sleeping companions, who would usually just wake up after being punched or kicked for no apparent reason and by someone who appears to be still fast asleep. There are also some cases where the violence of the actions are of a much higher level, in which case the disorder can be considered truly life-threatening, both to the person suffering from the disorder and to other people in their household.
Rapid Eye Movement Problems
Most people who have this behavioral sleep disorder are not aware of the problem, and oftentimes have no recollection of their actions upon waking up the next morning. But if their companion manages to wake them up while they are still having the dream sequence, there is a huge chance that they will still recall what their dream is about, which is a very important step towards getting treatment for the disorder.
Treatments
If you are suffering from REM sleep disorder or live with someone who goes through this experience every night, it is crucial to seek professional medical treatment right away. There are several types of medications that can be used to stop the violent acts associated with this condition, or at least to reduce them to mere sleep talking or harmless twitching.
One of the most commonly recommended drugs for this disorder is Klonopin, which is typically taken in a dosage of one pill every night. Your doctor will decide if any REM sleep behavior disorder medications are required.
REM Sleep Disorder Treatment Explained
The best type of REM sleep disorder treatment is sure to be a treatment option that suits the severity of the condition and in most instances involves creating a safer sleeping environment and making the patient change their lifestyles so that the possibility of a fresh outbreak of REM sleep disorder is minimized. Another aspect to REM sleep disorder treatment is that the patient must be monitored on a regular basis for signs of other neurological disorders.
Among the more common safety measures that should be taken before starting REM sleep disorder treatment it is recommended that any objects that can potentially harm the patient are removed from the bedside. In addition, it makes sense to pad up objects that are too heavy to move out of the bedroom. Similarly, the headboard too must be padded up and the bed also should be placed away from any windows.
Other preventive measures that need to be taken prior to starting REM sleep disorder treatment include blocking the windows with a big sized object such as dressers and to also pad the floor right below the patient’s bed. In addition, the bed partner should not sleep on the same bed as the patient.
Once these steps have been taken it is then necessary that the patient’s lifestyle is modified to ensure less risk of fresh outbreak of REM sleep disorder. The patient must be made to follow regular sleep schedules and not be allowed to consume alcohol and any other type of sleep disorder too needs to be treated separately.
Typically, REM sleep disorder treatment also involves medicating the patient and Clonazepam that is a tranquilizer has been used with good effect to control patients. However, this REM sleep disorder treatment option is often not the best choice because of the accompanying risk of side effects that include impaired balance and continual sleepiness on the morning after.
Of course, it is also possible to affect REM sleep disorder treatment with the help of dietary supplements such as Melatonin that can reduce symptoms of REM sleep disorder and which does so without the patient and their caregivers needing to worry about side effects.
In regard to identifying a cure for REM sleep disorder, a team working at a university in Toronto, Canada has been researching the subject and has published their findings that can be seen in the Journal of Neuroscience. This report deals with the issue of having come up with a possible cure. Though it is too early to say for sure that this will finally help us prevent REM sleep disorder it is nevertheless a step in the right direction.
