What Is Parasomnia And How To Treat It

Parasomnia is a category of sleep disorders that involve abnormal movements, behaviors, emotions, perceptions, and dreams that occur while falling asleep, sleeping, between sleep stages, or during arousal from sleep. Parasomnias are dissociated sleep states which are partial arousals during the transitions between wakefulness, NREM sleep, and REM sleep, and their combinations.

Parasomnia Meaning

Any of various sleep disorders characterized by abnormal behavioral or physiological activity (such as sleepwalking or night terrors) during sleep or in the transitional stage between sleep and wakefulness.

Parasomnia Definition 

Parasomnia is a sleep disorder that causes abnormal behavior while sleeping. The behavior can occur during any stage of sleep, including the transition from wakefulness to sleeping and vice versa. If you have parasomnia, you might move around, talk, or do unusual things during sleep. Other people might think you’re awake, but you’re actually unconscious. You typically don’t remember the incident. While parasomnias are common, they can make it difficult to get restful sleep. The behavior might also disrupt the sleep of other people near you.

Parasomnia symptoms

Aside from unusual behavior during sleep, parasomnia can cause other symptoms. You might:

• Wake up confused or disoriented,
• Wake up wondering where you are,
• Not remember doing certain activities,
• Find unfamiliar cuts on your body,
• Have difficulty sleeping throughout the night, and
• Feel daytime sleepiness or fatigue.

Parasomnia causes

There are many possible causes of parasomnia. The disorder might be associated with multiple triggers, including:

• Stress,
• Anxiety,
• Depression,
• PTSD,
• Substance use,
• Certain medications,
• Irregular sleep schedules, like shift work,
• Other sleep disorders, like insomnia,
• Sleep deprivation, and
• Neurological conditions, like Parkinson’s disease.

Parasomnia Types

Some parasomnias occur in the first half of the night, during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Others happen later in the night, during REM sleep.

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is when you walk around while sleeping. It’s a common parasomnia. It might also involve sleep talking or doing normal activities around the house. Often, sleepwalking occurs early in the night. It can even happen during daytime naps.

Sleep talking

Another common parasomnia is sleep talking, also known as somniloquy. It happens when you talk while asleep. Sleep talking can involve a wide range of talking, from mumbling to full conversations. Unlike sleepwalking, sleep talking can happen during any part of the night. The talking is usually easier to understand in the lighter stages of sleep.

Sleep-related groaning

Catathrenia is groaning out loud while sleeping. Typically, it happens when you exhale slowly and deeply. The groaning can include different sounds, such as:

• Roaring,
• Loud humming, and
• High-pitched cracking sounds.

Sleep-related groaning is often mistaken for snoring. But unlike snoring, groaning isn’t related to breathing issues.

Nightmares

Nightmares are troubling, intense dreams that cause anger, anxiety, or fear. If the nightmares frequently occur, it’s called nightmare disorder. This parasomnia can make it difficult to fall back asleep. In some cases, multiple nightmares may happen in a single night. Generally, nightmares occur during REM sleep, when you’re more likely to dream.

Night terrors

A night terror, or sleep terror, causes you to suddenly wake up in a terrified state. The terror can last from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

Night terrors are also associated with:

• Crying,
• Screaming,
• Fast heart rate,
• Sweating, and
• Skin flushing.

Unlike nightmares, night terrors usually involve little to no dream activity. Night terrors also typically happen in non-REM sleep.

Bedwetting

Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, is involuntarily urinating during sleep. It’s most common in children, especially in kids younger than 6 years old. Usually, bedwetting occurs when the bladder has more urine than it can hold. Some cases don’t have an underlying cause, while others are due to conditions like urinary tract infections.

Confusional arousal

Confusional arousal is when you wake up in a very confused state. You might have trouble understanding what you’re doing or where you are.

Other behaviors include:

• Slow speech,
• Poor memory,
• Crying, and
• Slow reaction time.

Teeth grinding

In sleep bruxism, you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping. These behaviors can cause:

• Tooth pain or sensitivity,
• Jaw, face, or neck soreness, and
• Earache-like pain.

Sleep-related eating disorder

A sleep-related eating disorder is binge eating and drinking during non-REM sleep. You might be partly or fully conscious.

Often, binge eating episodes happen repeatedly. Specific behaviors include:

• Eating unusual foods (like a stick of butter) or food combinations,
• Eating and drinking quickly, and
• Consuming toxic food, like uncooked meat.

REM sleep behavior disorder

In REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), you have vivid dreams and act them out during REM sleep. It’s different than sleepwalking or sleep terrors when the person is often confused. With RBD, you can usually wake up easily and remember the dream.

Typical RBD behaviors include:

• Grabbing,
• Punching,
• Shouting,
• Kicking, and
• Jumping.

Other parasomnias

Some parasomnias are less common. More unusual types include:

• Sleep texting. Sleep texting is when you send a text message during sleep.
• Sexsomnia. In sexsomnia, you act out sexual behaviors while sleeping.
• Exploding head syndrome. When you’re about to fall asleep or wake up, you imagine a loud, sudden noise in your head.
• Sleep-related hallucinations. This is a hallucination you can see, feel, or hear. It can occur when falling asleep or waking up.
• Sleep-related scratching. Scratching occurs during sleep. You might wake up with scratches, bleeding, or cuts.
• Sleep driving. Though rare, it’s possible to drive while sleeping. This is a form of sleepwalking and can be very dangerous.

Parasomnia Diagnosis

Parasomnias are most commonly diagnosed by means of questionnaires. These questionnaires include a detailed analysis of the clinical history and contain questions to:

1. Rule out sleep deprivation.
2. Rule out the effects of intoxication or withdrawal.
3. Rule out sleep disorders causing sleep instability.
4. Rule out medical disorders or treatments associated with sleep instability.
5. Confirm the presence of NREM parasomnias in other family members and during the patient’s childhood.
6. Determine the timing of the events.
7. Determine the morphology of the events.

Sleep diary

Furthermore, a sleep diary is helpful to exclude that sleep deprivation could be a precipitating factor. An additional tool could be the partner’s log of the events. The following questions should therefore be considered:

1. Do you or your bed partner believe that you move your arms, legs, or body too much, or have unusual behaviors during sleep?
2. Do you move while dreaming, as if you are simultaneously attempting to carry out the dream?
3. Have you ever hurt yourself or your bed partner during sleep?
4. Do you sleepwalk or have sleep terrors with loud screaming?
5. Do your legs feel restless or begin to twitch a lot or jump around when you are drowsy or sleepy, either at bedtime or during the day?
6. Do you eat food or drink fluids without full awareness during the night?
7. Do you wake up in the morning feeling bloated and with no desire to eat breakfast?

Specialist approach

In potentially harmful or disturbing cases a specialist in sleep disorders should be approached. Video polysomnographic documentation is necessary only in REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) since it is an essential diagnostic criterion in the ICSD to demonstrate the absence of muscle atonia and to exclude comorbid sleep disorders. For most of the other parasomnias, polysomnographic monitoring is costly, but a still supportive tool in the clinical diagnosis.

Use of actigraphy

The use of actigraphy can be promising in the diagnostical assessment of NREM-related parasomnias, for example, to rule out sleep deprivation or other sleep disorders, like circadian sleep-wake rhythm disorder which often develops among shift workers.

However, there is currently no generally accepted standardized technique available for identifying and quantifying periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) that distinguishes movements resulting from parasomnias, nocturnal seizures, and other dyskinesias. Eventually, using actigraphy for parasomnias, in general, is disputed.

Medical Treatment of Parasomnia 

Parasomnias can be considered potentially harmful to oneself as well as to bed partners, and are associated with other disorders. Children with parasomnias do not undergo medical intervention, because they tend to recover the NREM-related disorder with the process of growth. In those cases, the parents receive education on sleep hygiene to reduce and eventually eliminate precipitating factors.

In adults psychoeducation about proper sleep hygiene can reduce the risk to develop parasomnia. Case studies have shown that pharmacological interventions can improve symptoms of parasomnia, however, mostly they are accompanied by side effects. Behavioral treatments, i.e., relaxation therapy, biofeedback, hypnosis, and stress reduction, may also be helpful but are not considered universally effective.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Parasomnia and sleep disorders

Abhyanga (Oil Massage)

Applying stimulating oils like Bhringaraj, and Til Taila on the Shira (head) and pressing down on the scalp in gentle, circular motions remarkably soothe the mind. This, in turn, boosts blood circulation to the central nervous system and helps overcome sleeplessness. 

Draksha (Grapes)

Eating a small bowl of fresh grapes before going to bed at night assists in rectifying insomnia. Grapes contain a treasure trove of beneficial nutrients, like resveratrol, carotenoid, quercetin antioxidants, and a powerful compound called melatonin. These eliminate harmful free radicals from the system and relieve insomnia, by fostering a healthy deep sleep cycle and resting patterns.

Samvahana (Body Massage)

This reviving procedure involves a harmonizing full body massage, using soft materials like silk and fluffy brushes, as well as aromatic essential oils such as almond, rose, jasmine, lavender, and sandalwood. Also comprising a pacifying steam bath, it offers noteworthy soporific and aphrodisiac characteristics, vastly improving the quality of sleep.

Ikshu (Sugarcane)

Having foods with an intrinsic sweet taste i.e. Madhura Rasa is a magical tonic for the often incessant problem of insomnia and other sleep disorders. The juice extracts from sugarcane or Ikshu are rich in tryptophan, which forms serotonin – a key neurotransmitter that lowers cortisol levels, and stress as well as regulates mood, memory, and sleep, hence ensuring uninterrupted rest at night. 

Medhya Rasayana (Nootropic Herbs)

A class of herbal medications, Medhya Rasayana literally translates to the rejuvenation of brainpower and intellect. Several flowering plants, such as Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Yashtimadhu, Brahmi, and Mandukaparni fall in this category, which when consumed prior to bedtime, provide valuable neuroprotective properties, in addition to enhancing memory, and cognition, preventing neurodegenerative conditions and restoring normal sleep.

Siddha remedies for Parasomnia

1. Siddha Preventive Measures

Everybody must practice Siddha preventive measures, whether affected by Parasomnia or not, but they are the primary steps for switching on to any other Siddha energy remedies, and hence they are important. It helps in one’s capability, effectiveness, productivity, decision-making power, intellectualism, and removing minor health problems.

Earthing, Field Cleaning, and Siddha Brain Exercise/Energizing are three types of preventive measures. Everybody’s tendency is to get attracted toward the word ‘free‘, however, don’t neglect even these Siddha preventive measures are free. Avail of the benefits by practicing them regularly. For ease of understanding of Siddha preventive measures, please watch a video for a live demonstration.

2. Siddha Shaktidata Yog for Parasomnia

This unique Siddha Shaktidata Yog can solve problems related to Parasomnia with free Siddha energy remedies. Training in ‘Swami Hardas Life System’ methods is not a compulsion, but it would help achieve faster results. This not only gives benefits to self but also can be used for other affected persons, whether a person is in the same house, distantly available in the same city, same nation, or maybe in the corner of the world, however, both procedures have been explained here.

3. Siddha Kalyan Sadhana

Recite this Sadhana with a Sankalp “My Parasomnia problems are solved as early as possible and I should gain health”, which should be repeated in mind 3 – 3 times after each stanza. Any person irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith, sex, and age can recite this Sadhana for free, which should be repeated at least twice a day. To know more about it, please click on this link.

4. CCPE products for Hiccup

These products work on the concepts of ‘Conceptual Creative Positive Energy’ (CCPE) within the provisions of ‘CCPE Life System’ and the theory of Quantum Technology to a certain extent. However, the products get activated only whenever touched by a human and then they become capable of solving the problem and achieving health.

The use of CCPE products, being Energy Therapy, is one of the most effective free Siddha energy remedies for persons, who could not undergo training in Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System.  However, please use these products for Prasomnia problems as mentioned below:

CCPE Extractor

The CCPE Extractor should be gently moved over the Agya Chakra in a circular motion at least for 30 to 60 seconds, thereafter, follow the same process on the head for another 30 to 60 seconds, which will convert negativity into positivity. This is how the process of using extractor finishes within almost 2 – 3 minutes. It is so simple.

CCPE Booster

Keep one Booster over the Agya Chakra and another over the head for 3 to 5 minutes. You may need to have 3 Boosters and the process would finish within almost 3 – 5 minutes, which establishes positivity. This is how the process of using CCPE Booster finishes within almost 3 – 5 minutes. It is so simple.

Wrapping boosters in a thin cloth and tying them around the head overnight to achieve faster results is permissible but after the use of the CCPE Extractor as explained above.

5. UAM for Parasomnia

UAM (Understanding, Awakening & Movement): It is an energy-based process that can be applied by persons who have undergone training for touch therapy. One should have attended a minimum age of 18 years to avail of this golden opportunity. A desirous person can undergo training-process irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith, and sex. Trained persons can follow the tips explained below for how to apply these free Siddha energy remedies:

• Touch therapy – UAM/leveling as per the symptoms of the disease
• Distant therapy – Siddha Shaktidata Yog, Sight healing
• Sankalp therapy – Siddha Kalyan Sadhana, Vishwa Kalyan Sadhana
• Energy therapy – Use of CCPE products e.g. CCPE Extractor, Booster, and Booster powder
• There are various reasons behind health, peace, and progress-related problems, but effective free Siddha energy remedies would help solve all of them.

Training of Swami Hardas Life System

Any problem with regard to health, peace, and progress can be solved independently without money and medicines by undergoing training in Swami Hardas Life System. Any person irrespective of religion, caste, creed, faith, sex, and age can undergo this unique training.

A daily routine for Parasomnia

In general, a daily routine to manage the problem may look like this:

• Perform Siddha Preventive Measures in the morning soon after you wake up
• After taking a bath, do brain exercise (energizing), and Siddha Kalyan Sadhana
• Do regular breathing exercises
• With the help of CCPE Extractor, Boosters apply the remedy as explained above
• Do light exercises routinely
• Adopt the Sattvik diet in your daily life
• Follow healthy lifestyle
• Before going to bed, repeat Siddha Kalyan Sadhana and remedies as suggested

And be sure to sprinkle in some fun during the day: Don’t forget to relax and laugh in between. Laughing is a great way to boost your immune system.

Along with all the above activities, apply free Siddha energy remedies minimum 3 times a day, the more is good. Just try methods of Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System, and I am confident that you will surely find improvements within 15 days.

Conclusion 

In view of the above, I am confident that you have learned the basics of what are Parasomnia, its meaning, definition, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, Ayurvedic remedies, and Siddha remedies without money and medicines. As a bonus, you also learned free Siddha energy remedies. Now is the right time to use acquired knowledge for solving related problems for free. Hence, please undergo training, learn Siddha energy remedies, and apply them instantly to get or give instant relief to the needy.

Frequently asked questions

Before posting your query, kindly go through the:

What is the meaning of Parasomnia? Any of various sleep disorders characterized by abnormal behavioral or physiological activity (such as sleepwalking or night terrors) during sleep or in the transitional stage between sleep and wakefulness.

Which are the causes of Parasomnia?   There are many possible causes of parasomnia. The disorder might be associated with multiple triggers, including Stress, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Substance use, Certain medications, Irregular sleep schedules, like shift work, Other sleep disorders, like insomnia, Sleep deprivation, and Neurological conditions, like Parkinson’s disease.

What medical treatment is required for Parasomnia? In adults psychoeducation about proper sleep hygiene can reduce the risk to develop parasomnia. Case studies have shown that pharmacological interventions can improve symptoms of parasomnia, however, mostly they are accompanied by side effects. Behavioral treatments, i.e., relaxation therapy, biofeedback, hypnosis, and stress reduction, may also be helpful but are not considered universally effective.

 

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasomnia