About paroxysmal sleep

What is paroxysmal sleep?

Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder characterized by chronic, excessive attacks of drowsiness during the day, sometimes called excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Attacks of drowsiness may persist for only a few seconds or several minutes. These episodes vary in frequency from a few incidents to several during a single day. Nighttime (nocturnal) sleep patterns may also be disrupted. Three additional symptoms often associated with narcolepsy are sudden extreme muscle weakness (cataplexy), a specific type of hallucination that occurs just before falling asleep or upon awakening, and brief episodes of paralysis while waking up. Narcolepsy also may be associated with "automatic behavior", i.e. doing something automatically without any memory afterward. The incidence of narcolepsy is approximately 1 in 2,000 and most researchers believe that the disorder remains undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in many cases.

There is increasing evidence that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders are caused when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue or cells. In narcolepsy, the immune system destroys certain brain cells that produce a peptide called hypocretin. Hypocretin impacts on many brain functions, but the details of its actions are not yet understood. Why the immune system attacks healthy cells in narcolepsy is unknown and additional environmental and genetic factors may play a role in the development of the disorder.

What are the symptoms for paroxysmal sleep?

PND tends to occur within a few hours after you’ve fallen asleep. It wakes you up. You might gasp for air, cough, or sit or stand up to try to open your airways. After a while, your Breathing may return to normal. It might take a half an hour, or sometimes longer, to recover.

Many people find it difficult to return to sleep after an episode of PND. PND can be distressing, and one or more episodes may lead to sleep Anxiety or even insomnia.

If sitting or standing up doesn’t relieve symptoms of PND, you should call for emergency medical assistance right away.

What are the causes for paroxysmal sleep?

There is a lack of consensus over the term “paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.” Some medical professionals use it to refer exclusively to a symptom of heart failure. In other cases, it’s used to describe nighttime shortness of breath caused by other medical conditions, some of which are benign.

Some of the most common causes of nighttime shortness of breath are described below.

Heart failure

Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, occurs when the heart muscle struggles to adequately pump blood throughout the body. It can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and around the lungs, which can make it difficult to breathe. Many people with heart failure also experience difficulty breathing when exerting themselves or laying down.

Respiratory conditions

PND can also be related to lung and respiratory system function. Respiratory conditions that can cause or lead to PND include:

  • asthma
  • COPD
  • postnasal drip
  • pulmonary edema
  • sleep apnea
  • pulmonary artery embolism
  • restrictive lung disease

Other medical conditions

PND can also be related to a variety of other conditions. Some of these include:

  • stomach acid reflux
  • kidney failure
  • anxiety or panic attacks
 

PND is serious. You should see a doctor to determine what’s causing your nighttime shortness of breath.

What are the treatments for paroxysmal sleep?

Treatments for PND vary depending on the cause. Your doctor can help you understand the best course of treatment based on your symptoms.

For people whose PND is caused by heart failure, a number of treatments may improve symptoms. Medical treatment can include diuretic therapy to reduce fluid retention and cardiac medication therapy to protect the heart or reduce blood pressure or heart rate. Other treatments, including surgery, may help to decrease the workload on the heart and provide the cells with additional oxygen. Sleeping propped up on several pillows may also provide relief from PND.

When PND is caused by a lung or other respiratory system disorder, treating the disorder usually helps to ease symptoms. For instance, long-term asthma control medications can help to reduce shortness of breath at night. In cases of sleep apnea, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, possibly with added supplemental oxygen, may help to improve breathing.

Stomach acid reflux is treatable with lifestyle changes and antacids.

Other treatments focus on reducing stress and improving the overall quality of your sleep. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed and adopting a regular sleep schedule are just a few things you can do to improve the overall quality of your sleep.

What are the risk factors for paroxysmal sleep?

Paroxysmal sleep is a rare and unusual sleeping disorder that causes people to suddenly fall asleep for short periods of time, usually lasting less than one minute. It can occur at any time of day or night, but most often occurs when the person is in the early stages of falling asleep or when they’re waking up from a nap. It can last anywhere between a few seconds to several minutes, and it usually happens once every hour or two.

The condition itself is not dangerous, but it can be frustrating and embarrassing if you’re experiencing it because you may feel like you’re falling asleep at inappropriate times. Paroxysmal sleep can also cause problems with memory and concentration due to micro-sleeps during which your brain briefly enters an unconscious state.

It’s important to note that paroxysmal sleep isn’t caused by any underlying medical condition or disease; instead, it’s thought to be caused by temporary changes in brain chemistry during REM sleep (rapid eye movement).

The primary risk factors for Paroxysmal sleep include:

1. The primary risk factor of paroxysmal sleep is the lack of a normal circadian rhythm. This can cause insomnia and lead to sleep deprivation, which can result in other health problems.

2. Other risk factors include a family history of the disorder, as well as stress and anxiety.

3. Finally, there's also evidence that some medications may play a role in causing paroxysmal sleep; these include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and beta-blockers.

Symptoms
Jerking movements (sometimes called "sleep starts"),Disorientation after waking up,Confusion,Headache,Dizziness
Condition
Anemia,Blood clots in the brain,Carbon dioxide poisoning,Choking on food while sleeping,Sleep apnea and other breathing disorders,Stroke
Drugs
Ramelteon (Rozerem),Zaleplon (Sonata),Zolpidem (Ambien)

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