Latest news with #REM
Tom's Guide
12 hours ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
67% of us experience parasomnias — expert shares 5 most common types and why they happen
Experiencing a parasomnia, like sleep walking, can feel disturbing. Sleepwalking isn't the only parasomnia, though — other sleep conditions such as sleep paralysis, bed wetting and even sleep talking can be classed as a parasomnia. So what causes them? From stress and trauma, to lifestyle habits and medications (or even genetics) — there are many factors that can be responsible for parasomnias. Considering 67% of us experience parasomnias, we want to find out more. So, we're exploring what the most common parasomnias are, talking to sleep experts about why they affect some people more than others and strategies to manage or stop them to help you sleep better. Parasomnias are behaviours that occur during sleep, such as 'sleepwalking, sleep talking, or night terrors,' explains Dr Hamilton Gaiani, a double board-certified psychiatrist. He adds that these parasomnias are usually associated with 'stress, nervousness, or previous traumatic experiences.' 'For instance, sleepwalking occurs when the brain is not fully awake but the body is walking around, something that may occur when you're stressed or overwhelmed,' he explains. So, what's happening to the body when you're experiencing a parasomnia? Sleep expert Dr Lindsay Browning adds that they can be categorised as non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias or rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnias depending on which part of sleep they occur. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. She explains that there is another category called 'other parasomnias': 'This covers parasomnias that do not fit neatly into either the REM or NREM classifications." "NREM parasomnias typically occur in the first third of the night, whereas REM parasomnias tend to occur in the latter half of the night,' she adds. There are many types of parasomnias, but these 5 are the most common. Browning explains that someone who is sleepwalking is 'not fully conscious, but they may open their eyes, get up out of bed, walk downstairs, open the fridge, and even eat something, before going back to bed again.' Sleep walking might seem like a bit of a novelty, but this parasomnia can pose many dangers — especially if the walker leaves their house. If you've ever been woken up by someone talking next to you, and they are fast asleep, they could be sleep talking. 'Sleep talking (or somniloquy) is a parasomnia where someone may start talking, mumbling, or shouting during their sleep without being aware that they're doing so,' the sleep expert explains. 'It can occur in any sleep stage but is most common in NREM sleep,' she adds. A scary feeling to wake up to, explains that sleep paralysis is 'a state where you become paralyzed and cannot move or talk while falling asleep or waking up.' He explains that it's often linked to stress, anxiety or insufficient sleep condition could be more common than you think, with one study showing that 4 in 10 of us have experienced it. Night terrors are short episodes of fear or terror that seem to occur during deep sleep, says Dr. Gaiani. 'They may result in activity such as screaming, thrashing, or pounding heart.' 'The individual typically does not recall the episode in the morning. Night terrors are a parasomnia since they interrupt normal sleep and are usually precipitated by trauma or stress,' he explains. The reason individuals don't remember these episodes is because they usually take place during NREM sleep. Wetting the bed while you sleep can be a traumatic experience, explains sleep expert Dr. Leah Kaylor. She explains that it's classed as a parasomnia because it 'happens during sleep without conscious control over the bladder.' This is a parasomnia which is more common in children, but adults can also experience the condition due to extreme stress, trauma, health conditions or poor sleep habits. 'Parasomnias can be caused by a mix of physical, emotional, and environmental factors,' says Kaylor. She adds that one common cause is sleep deprivation. 'This is when the body doesn't get enough rest; it increases the chances of unusual brain activity during sleep.' Stress and anxiety are also major triggers Stress and anxiety are also major triggers, 'because they can make the brain more active during sleep, leading to disruptions like night terrors or sleepwalking,' she explains. But your sleep habits and lifestyle can also play a part. 'Irregular sleep schedules, such as going to bed at different times each night or doing shift work, can confuse the body's internal clock and increase the risk of parasomnias,' Dr Kaylor says. Genetics can also play a role as well as certain medications or substances, such as sleeping pills, stimulants or alcohol. There are different ways to help manage parasomnias and even help to stop them, we've looked at a few solutions below but if you experience them frequently or their impacting your quality of life, you should speak with a specialist to find the right solution for you. Your body works off a sleep/wake cycle called the circadian rhythm. This is like a pre-programmed internal clock telling your body when to wake up and when to go to sleep. So keeping a consistent sleep schedule will allow your body to easily fall asleep and stay asleep, cycling through the individual sleep stages properly, which will help ward off parasomnia symptoms. Although alcohol and other substances could relax you and help you initially get to sleep they could affect the quality of your sleep, says Browning. 'As alcohol affects sleep architecture, it can cause more fragmented and disturbed REM sleep in the latter part of the night, increasing the likelihood of parasomnias.' Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) helps to change how we think and ultimately our actions. So, how can it stop parasomnias? 'CBT can help those dealing with the stress, anxiety, or trauma that causes sleep disorders or parasomnias - this is because it helps to alter the negative thought processes,' explains If you're being disrupted when you sleep it could be a good time to look at your sleep hygiene. So, what does this mean? Sleep hygiene refers to your environment and the habits you have that can impact your sleep. If you're waking up due to street lights or sunshine blaring into your bedroom it could be time to invest in black out blinds. If noise is the problem, then earplugs could be your best bet. Make sure where you sleep is also clutter free, well ventilated and has comfortable bedding — all key things to help you get a better night's sleep. If none of the lifestyle solutions above help to cure your parasomnia then it may be worth looking at medications to help you. But always consult a physician or doctor before starting any medication (especially if it hasn't been prescribed for you) to make sure it's the right option.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Discovered a New Alzheimer's Warning Sign—and It Has to Do With Your Sleep
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Alzheimer's disease is a devastating condition that impacts millions of families around the world. But scientists are still trying to pinpoint the elements that go into why some people develop Alzheimer's disease and others don't. Now, a new study suggests that your sleep patterns may play a role. The study, which was published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, specifically looked at the relationship between REM sleep and Alzheimer's disease. But what's the link between the two and, more importantly, how can you use this information to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease? A neurologist explains. Meet the expert: W. Christopher Winter, MD, a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and host of the podcast. What did the study find? For the study, researchers looked at how long it took 123 people to reach rapid eye movement (REM) sleep for the first time after falling asleep, as well as several biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's disease. (REM sleep is a stage of sleep where your eyes move quickly and you dream, per the Cleveland Clinic. It's important for learning and memory, too.) Of the participants, 64 had Alzheimer's disease and 41 had mild cognitive impairment, while the others had normal cognitive function. All of the participants did a sleep study, as well as scans for biomarkers that indicated Alzheimer's. The researchers discovered that people who took longer to get to the REM stage of sleep were more likely to have biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. Is there a relationship between sleep and Alzheimer's? The relationship between sleep and Alzheimer's disease is still being explored. The Alzheimer's Society notes that people living with dementia tend to have sleep issues, but the evidence is currently unclear on whether poor sleep is a risk factor for the disease. However, some research suggests that poor sleep could raise your risk of Alzheimer's. A study published in November found that 35 percent of people who were considered poor sleepers (and felt excessively tired during the day as a result) went on to develop motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), which is considered a precursor to dementia. 'Poor sleep quality has been linked to Alzheimer's disease,' says W. Christopher Winter, MD, a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and host of the podcast. 'Conversely, individuals who sleep well, and get consistent amounts of sleep on a consistent schedule, seem to reduce their risk of cognitive impairment.' Can a lack of REM sleep increase my risk of Alzheimer's? It's hard to say for sure at this point. While the researchers concluded that more studies are needed, they also said a slower movement to REM sleep could serve as a 'potential marker' for Alzheimer's disease. Given that good sleep is linked to good overall health, it can't hurt to try to improve your sleep. How can I get more REM sleep? Most people go through four to six sleep cycles a night, and REM sleep is part of that. Unfortunately, you can't dictate the stages of sleep you enter and when. What you can do is try to focus on getting good sleep, period. Winter offers up these tips to help support good sleep: Have a set bedtime and wake time, and do your best to stick to it. Limit alcohol and caffeine, especially avoiding caffeine later in the day. Try to be physically active, and aim to work out in the mornings to support your body's natural sleep/wake cycle. Create a good, consistent bedtime routine that helps you wind down for the evening. Be wary of sleep aids. 'Ironically, some sleep aids affect REM sleep,' Winter says. How can I reduce my risk of Alzheimer's? Researchers don't know exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease and dementia, making it tough to know for sure how to prevent it. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends doing these things to help lower your risk: Be physically active Try to prevent or manage diabetes Manage your blood pressure Try to prevent or correct hearing loss Try to limit or avoid drinking alcohol Try to limit or avoid smoking If you're struggling with sleep, Winter says it's important to consult with a healthcare professional sooner rather than later. They should be able to do a sleep study—which can give you more information on what's behind your sleep issues—and make personalized recommendations from there. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50 Solve the daily Crossword
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
The Midults: My wife sleeps in the spare room more and more
Dear A&E, My wife has started sleeping in the spare room more and more and I'm a bit concerned. We've only been married for a year and are in our early 30s. And I don't really snore, unless I've been drinking. I am worried that we are already drifting apart, and the separate bedrooms are just the beginning. Our sex life is great but I want all of her. Love, – Uneasy Dear Uneasy, We are obsessed with sleep. We talk about sleep like we used to talk about sex: how much are you getting? How long does it last? Was it good? Sleeping seven to nine hours a night is the holy grail; a key factor in positive mental health, physical health, all the healths. We pathologise it, we catastrophise about it, because, like sex, we're mostly not getting enough. We are tired all the time and we worry about being tired all the time, which means we don't sleep; an unvirtuous circle. We have Oura rings (one friend admitted to being a bit disappointed when her Oura ring told her she was getting a surprisingly healthy amount of sleep) to track our REM cycles. And we don't merely avoid caffeine after 2pm – that's rookie sleep hygiene. No, we try to practise clean bedtime routines: We don't drink, we don't eat anything too heavy; no screens; you name it… anything in order to give ourselves the best chance of hitting that dreamy eight hours of oblivion. And it's not just us mid-lifers who are poring over sleep apps and signing up to be measured and biohacked to within an inch of our lives. Your thirty-something wife is just another of her cohort who is feverish about nighttime routines: the problem of sleep deprivation in millennials is so widespread that they are commonly known as 'The Tired Generation'. So, dear Uneasy, your feelings are collateral damage in this crusade. Sure, it's lovely to be wrapped around someone now and again, but nothing beats sleeping alone. Sleeping with someone else can be quite trying once the honeymoon is over. There are temperature issues, one is always too hot, while the other is too cold. You say snoring is not often a factor but you might talk, or move, or just breathe a bit too much. And then there's the bed itself: duvet weight, tucked in sheets, disagreements over optimum mattress type. Emilie's husband likes a firm mattress; Emilie, not so much. So they have a compromise mattress which in the end appeals to neither. Emilie sneaks down to sink into her trusty memory foam mattress in the spare room at every given opportunity. Everyone is happy. Lack of sleep can inflict significant damage on a human body and it can also be a huge potential threat to a relationship. People usually want to bring their best selves to a marriage, a self that can be severely compromised by a bad night. And, if children appear, it becomes imperative that at least one person sleeps in order to keep the show on the road. Perhaps your wife would rather sleep in the other room to be able to make the most of her waking hours; rather than emerging from a tough night full of dread. The good news is, dear Uneasy, from our point of view, you are doing pretty damn well: you are getting sex and sleep. However, as you are worrying – and presumably, as a result, not bringing your best self to the day – why not do a little investigating and join her quest for the perfect sleep situation? Work out what exactly it is that is sending her scuttling off to the other room. Is there a temperature issue, in which case get separate duvets (a game-changing idea courtesy of the scandis). Does she like to read in bed but you want the light off or vice versa? (A Kindle is a good solve here). Is the mattress right? Is the bed big enough? Are the curtains heavier in the other room? Perhaps with a little tweak you might find your sleepily ever after. If not, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone, in sleeping alone. A friend of ours, who is a very distinguished interior designer, says that the third meeting with a client is always when 'the snoring room' come up. 'Of course, we're very happy,' they all say, 'It's just that the snoring is unbearable.' Separate rooms do not equate to separate lives. One last thing, dear Uneasy. It is interesting to us that you say in your letter that you 'want all of her'. Perhaps that sounds romantic to you, and it might well be. It might also be a lot of pressure, on both of you. Careful, because none of us can be everything, or give everything, to someone else. It is important in any relationship to have room to grow, to oxygenate and flourish. An urge to be possessed, to be held all the time, might initially have felt very natural and exciting, but over time, could feel a little stifling. Don't tuck her in too tight. We are not saying that this is what is making her bolt for the other bedroom, but it is worth keeping an eye on. Good luck and good night.
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- Health
- Gizmodo
Brain Scans Reveal Why Waking Up Is Sometimes Such a Difficult Experience
Want to wake up feeling great? The secret might not be so simple as a multi-step nighttime routine, early bedtime, or a no-device rule. A new study suggests that how we fall asleep and how we wake up the next day may not be so similar as we once thought. Neuroscientists tracked 20 people's brain activity as they woke up from sleep—sometimes naturally, sometimes by setting off an alarm—recording more than 1,000 awakenings in total. They found a pattern of neural activity signaled waking, but that the pattern was slightly different in people who were deep in dream-laden REM sleep as opposed to those in non-REM sleep. And people woken from REM sleep were more likely to say they felt tired on waking. 'The surprise is how consistent [this pattern] was across every awakening and also how it related to the subjective measures,' Francesca Siclari, the study's senior author and neuroscientist at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, told Nature. The results were published this week in Current Biology. Each participant had 256 sensors attached to their scalps, which allowed the researchers to track their brain activity at a second-to-second timescale. From there, the researchers were able to reconstruct a visual map of each participant's brain activity and compared it to how sleepy each participant said they were on waking. They found that when people were roused during REM sleep, a neural 'wave of activation' moved from the front to the back of the brain: the prefrontal cortex, which manages executive function and decision-making, fired up first, followed by a slow 'wave' of alertness that ended at the region associated with vision. During non-REM sleep, the wave started in a central 'hotspot' and then progressed along the same front-to-back pattern. The findings could help researchers tease out why some people who struggle with sleep find it hard to wake up feeling refreshed, although more work is needed to understand whether other issues during sleep, like movement, may be at play. Less subjective measures of wakefulness could also help refine the results. 'Knowing exactly how brain activity is characterized during a normal awakening [means] we can better compare it to these abnormal awakenings,' Siclari told Nature.
Business Wire
7 days ago
- Health
- Business Wire
REMspace Launches LucidMe — A Breakthrough Smart Sleep Mask With AI-Powered Sleep, Snoring, and Dream Features
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--REMspace, the pioneering neurotech startup known for enabling the first-ever communication between people in lucid dreams, has officially launched LucidMe, the most advanced smart sleep mask on the market. We envision smart sleep masks becoming as essential as smartphones — helping people improve their health, reduce stress, and unlock the hidden potential of their dreams. Share Combining sleek design with powerful AI-driven technology, LucidMe offers an unprecedented set of features in a single wearable: Faster Sleep Onset: Five programs help users fall asleep up to 2–3× faster. Snore Reduction: Built-in sensors detect snoring and prompt a gentle position change. Smart Wake-Up: Natural light and sound stimulation that can be snoozed with a simple head gesture. Sleep Stage Tracking: Real-time sleep monitoring with app-based sleep quality analysis. Lucid Dream Induction: Innovative methods during sleep onset, REM phases, and wake transitions. Meditation Guidance: Adaptive breath and focus training supported by audio-visual feedback. "The LucidMe mask is a major leap forward in how we engage with sleep,' said Michael Raduga, CEO and founder of REMspace. 'This isn't just a tracker; it's an active sleep coach that will redefine nightly rest and open doors to conscious dreaming. We envision smart sleep masks becoming as essential as smartphones — helping people improve their health, reduce stress, and unlock the hidden potential of their dreams.' The mask is the result of two years of intensive research and development by a team of experienced sleep scientists and engineers. With continuous software updates, LucidMe will continue to evolve with new features and deeper AI integration. LucidMe is available now for $245 at with global shipping starting immediately.
