What is parasomnia and how treatment is done

Parasomnias are sleep disorders that are characterized by abnormal psychological experiences, behaviors or events, which can occur in various stages of sleep, during the transition between sleep-wake, sleep or awakening. Sleepwalking, night terrors, bruxism, nightmares and movement disorders are examples of parasomnias that must be treated in a specific way, if they affect the person's life.

Parasomnias in early childhood are common and normal, and treatment is usually not necessary, and it is usually sufficient to reassure the child, since most parasomnias tend to disappear during adolescence. However, some parasomnias can be a sign that the person is experiencing a problem or insecurity, and others persist for years, and may be associated with stress and anxiety, so in these cases, it is very important to identify them and talk to the doctor. doctor.

Types of parasomnias

Some of the most common parasomnias are:

1. Confusional awakening

Confusional awakening is characterized by situations in which the person wakes up confused, disoriented in time and space, responding slowly, with memory loss, which usually occurs during deep sleep, in the first period of the night, and can last for about 5 15 minutes.

This parasomnia is more common in children and young people, and the causes that may be at its origin are sleep deprivation, disturbances of circadian rhythm, such as jet lag or change of school or work, use of medication, alcohol or tobacco or suffering psychological or metabolic disorders.

2. Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is a parasomnia that usually occurs about 1 to 2 hours after the person falls asleep, in which the person gets out of bed and walks during sleep, and may include other inappropriate behaviors, such as urinating, touching objects or eating, for example.

Sleepwalking may not have a specific cause or be caused by taking medication, fever or noise, for example. Learn how to identify and how to deal with sleepwalking.

3. Night terrors

Night terrors are characterized by an awakening with screams or crying, one to two hours after falling asleep, which usually occur in children between 4 and 12 years old, being accompanied by other symptoms, such as fear, tachycardia, redness of the skin, confusion and disorientation.

Learn about night terrors and see what to do.

4. Nightmares

Nightmares are scary episodes that occur during REM sleep, very common in children and adolescents.

Nightmares can occur without an apparent cause, and in some cases can be triggered by fears, stress or anxiety. However, they can also be caused due to the use of certain medications, post-traumatic stress, breathing problems or psychiatric disorders, for example. Learn how to avoid nightmares.

5. Sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis is the inability to perform movements before falling asleep, while sleeping or when waking up, and the person can only move his eyes and may still have frightening hallucinations.

Although this parasomnia is more common in adolescents and adults, it can, in some cases, occur in children and may be associated with stress or poor sleep habits. Know what to do to prevent sleep paralysis.

6. Night bruxism

Bruxism is the unconscious act of grinding or grinding your teeth constantly, leading to tooth wear, joint pain and headache upon waking.

This parasomnia can be caused by genetic, neurological or respiratory factors, such as snoring and sleep apnea, or be related to psychological factors, such as stress or anxiety. In addition, excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol, smoking or frequent use of drugs can also increase the frequency of bruxism. Find out what is the treatment of bruxism.

7. nocturnal enuresis

Nocturnal enuresis is defined by the frequent involuntary loss of urine, during the night, in children over 3 years of age, which can be related to growth retardation, mental problems, stress or diseases, such as diabetes, for example.

Learn more about bedwetting and what to do to avoid it.

How ugly the treatment is

Each parasomnia must be treated in a specific way, however, avoiding stress and having good sleep hygiene are measures that can prevent any of them.

In most cases, pharmacological treatment is not necessary, however, medication can be justified if the symptoms are severe, if they condition the person's life, and if they persist, even after other measures have been adopted.

Watch the following video and find out which positions help you sleep better: