What Is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a
condition in which you act out your dreams while you sleep.
These dreams are often very vivid and can involve a wide range of movements. Unlike sleepwalking or night terrors, you can recall your dreams upon waking.
RBD occurs in less than one percent of the population, according to the National Sleep Foundation. It was once believed that this disorder mostly affected men, but new data suggests that it occurs in both men and women with similar frequency. RBD can be treated with medication. However, it often occurs with other sleep problems or conditions, which may require additional treatment. If diagnosed, you should be monitored by your doctor. REM sleep behavior disorder may indicate a neurodegenerative disease or may be induced by some medications.
These dreams are often very vivid and can involve a wide range of movements. Unlike sleepwalking or night terrors, you can recall your dreams upon waking.
RBD occurs in less than one percent of the population, according to the National Sleep Foundation. It was once believed that this disorder mostly affected men, but new data suggests that it occurs in both men and women with similar frequency. RBD can be treated with medication. However, it often occurs with other sleep problems or conditions, which may require additional treatment. If diagnosed, you should be monitored by your doctor. REM sleep behavior disorder may indicate a neurodegenerative disease or may be induced by some medications.
Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?
During an episode of RBD, you may:
In most cases, your episodes of RBD will happen at least 90 minutes after you fall asleep. Other people will experience these episodes during the later portions of sleep. You may have as many as four episodes in a night. You can also experience less frequent episodes.
Sleepwalking is a different condition than RBD. You may experience similar movements while sleepwalking. However, it’s usually harder to wake up from a sleepwalking episode than an RBD episode. You’re more likely to be confused after waking up from sleepwalking. You’re also less likely to remember your dream. If you have your eyes open, walk around, leave the room, eat or drink, engage in sexual activity, or use the bathroom while sleeping, you’re probably sleepwalking.
- talk
- shout
- flail
- grab
- punch
- kick
- jump
In most cases, your episodes of RBD will happen at least 90 minutes after you fall asleep. Other people will experience these episodes during the later portions of sleep. You may have as many as four episodes in a night. You can also experience less frequent episodes.
Sleepwalking is a different condition than RBD. You may experience similar movements while sleepwalking. However, it’s usually harder to wake up from a sleepwalking episode than an RBD episode. You’re more likely to be confused after waking up from sleepwalking. You’re also less likely to remember your dream. If you have your eyes open, walk around, leave the room, eat or drink, engage in sexual activity, or use the bathroom while sleeping, you’re probably sleepwalking.
Causes
What Causes REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?
When you sleep, your body goes through stages of both non-REM and
REM sleep. REM sleep is associated with dreams and is a critical
component of your sleep cycle. It occurs for roughly 90 minutes to two
hours each night.
During typical REM sleep, your muscles are temporarily paralyzed while your brain is actively dreaming. In some cases, the chemical that causes your body to remain still and your brain to remain active doesn’t function properly. As a result, you can develop disorders such as sleepwalking, narcolepsy, or RBD.
In RBD, your muscles aren’t temporarily paralyzed like they should be. This allows your body to react to your dreams. You may begin with small actions, such as talking or twitching, and progress to larger movements, such as jumping or kicking. These actions can harm you or your bed partner.
During typical REM sleep, your muscles are temporarily paralyzed while your brain is actively dreaming. In some cases, the chemical that causes your body to remain still and your brain to remain active doesn’t function properly. As a result, you can develop disorders such as sleepwalking, narcolepsy, or RBD.
In RBD, your muscles aren’t temporarily paralyzed like they should be. This allows your body to react to your dreams. You may begin with small actions, such as talking or twitching, and progress to larger movements, such as jumping or kicking. These actions can harm you or your bed partner.
Who Is at Risk of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, men are more likely to develop this condition than women. It can appear at any age, but it most commonly occurs after age 50.
You may be at higher risk of RBD if you have a neurological disorder, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple system atrophy. This disease is similar to Parkinson’s, but it involves more widespread damage.
If you have RBD, you’re at a higher risk of developing:
You may be at higher risk of RBD if you have a neurological disorder, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple system atrophy. This disease is similar to Parkinson’s, but it involves more widespread damage.
If you have RBD, you’re at a higher risk of developing:
- Parkinson’s disease, a brain disease that leads to tremors and eventually difficulty walking and moving
- narcolepsy, when you experience “sleep attacks” or uncontrollable bouts of falling asleep during the daytime
- periodic limb movement disorder, when you experience cramping or jerking of your legs during sleep
- sleep apnea, when you periodically stop breathing during sleep
Diagnosis
Diagnosing REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
To diagnose this condition, you should talk with a sleep
specialist. Your doctor will need to know your medical history and will
perform a neurological exam. Your doctor may even refer you to a
neurologist for more comprehensive testing.
Your doctor may monitor your sleep patterns by asking you to keep a sleep diary. They may also ask you to fill out the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. This scale can help them determine how your sleep patterns are interfering with your daily life.
You may be asked to perform an overnight sleep study. In this case, you will sleep in a laboratory attached to a heart rate, brain wave, and breathing monitor. These monitors will record your sleep stages, how you move throughout the night, and if you have any other disorders that may be affecting your sleep.
Your doctor may monitor your sleep patterns by asking you to keep a sleep diary. They may also ask you to fill out the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. This scale can help them determine how your sleep patterns are interfering with your daily life.
You may be asked to perform an overnight sleep study. In this case, you will sleep in a laboratory attached to a heart rate, brain wave, and breathing monitor. These monitors will record your sleep stages, how you move throughout the night, and if you have any other disorders that may be affecting your sleep.
Treatment
How Is REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Treated?
In most cases, this condition can be successfully managed with
medication. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is the most frequently used medicine.
Your doctor may also prescribe melatonin, a dietary supplement that can
help eliminate symptoms. You should talk to your doctor to learn which
medication is best for you.
You will likely need to take other precautions to protect yourself and your bed partner. For example:
You will likely need to take other precautions to protect yourself and your bed partner. For example:
- Move objects away from your bedside.
- Move your bed away from the window.
- Maintain a standard bedtime.
- Avoid certain medications and alcohol.
- Treat any other sleep disorders.
Long-Term Outlook
This condition can often be treated successfully with medication.
If you take clonazepam to treat RBD, you may experience side effects.
For example, you may experience morning sleepiness, memory problems,
confusion, or decreased balance. The drug can also make sleep apnea
worse. If you notice side effects that are interfering with your daily
life, speak with your doctor. Switching to melatonin might help relieve
your symptoms of RBD, while causing fewer side effects.
You should also be checked regularly for neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. In some cases, RBD is the first warning sign of neurodegenerative disease.
You should also be checked regularly for neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. In some cases, RBD is the first warning sign of neurodegenerative disease.
I was diagnosed in November 2007 with Parkinson's Disease. I have left side tremors, balance and gait issues and some non-motor symptoms: quiet voice, some cognitive decline, small handwriting. I am currently on Sinemet for tremors and Cymbalta for neuropathy related to diabetes and previous chemotherapy. It was on my 25th anniversary of surviving breast cancer that I got the PD diagnosis. I am 69, retired, single woman sharing a house with my sister. I like to read, quilt, and crochet. I have been reading up on PD. Until I read too much and it scares me. Then I put it away until I calm down and can research it some more. I need advice and some direction. I searched further, visited Parkinson’s websites, blogs. I find info about someone having the same symptoms. I was really determined. Fortunately for me, I stumbled on a testimony of someone who had Parkinson’s for several years and was cured through Herbal medication. I read awesome stories of people whose condition were worse. I was not a fan of Herbal Medication, because I once believed that they have not researched it enough. But due to numerous testimonies I was more than willing to try it…. I contacted Dr. Fabien, and I purchased the medicine and used just the way doctor instructed. Its a thing of joy to come back and make my review.. It became a miracle for me within 7 months. The herbal medication worked without any trace of side effects on I’m…. totally free. I have been cured for Parkinson’s. I was a shocking experience with the medicine. I never knew I will be free for Parkinson’s disease. Email dr.fabiencontantin@gmail.com or www.kunimeherbs.com
ReplyDeleteAfter having a persistent cough for over a year, I was diagnosed with COPD
Deletein March 2015. In 2016 my COPD got worse to the point where not only do I
have trouble sleeping at night, I also struggle to get air into my lungs. I
read in a health forum of a herbal centre (native health clinic) who have successful treatment to COPD/Emphysema, i immediately
contacted the herbal centre via their website and purchased the COPD herbal
remedy, I used the remedy for 2 weeks, all my symptoms were reversed, i did
another test for confirmation, i was declared COPD free. email (
nativehealthclinic@gmail.com) or WhatsApp/Call him on +2348140073965