Herbie Murray
Growling in your sleep could be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder that causes people to groan, moan, hum, or make cracking sounds while asleep. Catathrenia is a chronic respiratory disorder that occurs during REM sleep, and is generally harmless. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but research suggests it may be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem. It is often first noticed by a family member or sleep partner, who may find the sounds disturbing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the phenomenon | Growling in sleep |
| Other names | Sleep paralysis |
| Sounds | Growls, low voices |
| Possible causes | Inner fears, stress, worry, or mental, physical, and emotional turmoil |
| Treatment | Chanting, praying, repenting sins to Jesus Christ, fixing things in life |
| Related disorders | Catathrenia, Parasomnias, Sleep apnea, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder |
| Catathrenia characteristics | Groaning, moaning, humming, or making cracking sounds while asleep |
| Catathrenia causes | Dysfunctional neurons in the respiratory center of the brain, small upper airways, small jaws, inspiratory flow limitation, low diversity of salivary microbiota |
| Catathrenia diagnosis | Polysomnography or sleep test |
| Catathrenia treatment | Treat the root cause, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, white noise, separate sleeping spaces |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleep paralysis: a person may hear growling and experience hallucinations
- Catathrenia: a rare sleep disorder causing groaning or moaning
- REM sleep behaviour disorder: a person may act out their dreams
- Parasomnias: a group of sleep disorders affecting sleep negatively
- Stress: growling may be linked to stress, as it can trigger negative dreams
Sleep paralysis: a person may hear growling and experience hallucinations
Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon where a person is temporarily unable to move or speak as they transition from sleep to consciousness. It can occur when a person first falls asleep or when they are about to wake up. During this state, a person may experience hallucinations, which are defined as sensing things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not and are created by the mind. These hallucinations are generally characterized by fear and are often described as "terrifying," "shocking," "weird," and "otherworldly."
A person experiencing sleep paralysis may hear growling, which can be a symptom of a hypnopompic hallucination. A hypnopompic event occurs when a person transitions from sleep to wakefulness, and they may hear, feel, or see things that are not actually there. These hallucinations can include meaningful sounds like voices, whispers, and roars, as well as physical sensations such as being dragged out of bed or feeling 'electric' tingles or vibrations running through their body.
The cause of sleep paralysis hallucinations is not well understood, but they are regarded as a form of parasomnia, which involves abnormal movements, behaviours, perceptions, and dreams during sleep stages. They are thought to be driven by anxiety, which accounts for the high level of fear associated with them. The level of awareness during sleep paralysis varies, with some people claiming they are completely awake and aware of their surroundings, while others have only partial awareness.
Sleep paralysis is a common experience, with research showing that between 8% and 50% of people encounter it at some point in their lives. It is important to note that while it can be a frightening experience, it is a normal occurrence and understanding the condition can help rationalize and reduce the fear associated with it.
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Catathrenia: a rare sleep disorder causing groaning or moaning
Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning, is a rare sleep disorder that causes those affected to produce a loud groaning or moaning sound while exhaling. The disorder is characterised by slow, drawn-out, typically monotone groans, which can be very loud and startling to those within earshot. The groans can last anywhere from two to 49 seconds and may repeat for a few minutes up to an hour, usually during REM sleep.
Catathrenia is generally harmless and does not affect the sleep of those who suffer from it. However, it can be disruptive to family members or sleep partners, who may prompt the person with catathrenia to seek treatment. The groaning sounds are often described as very distinct from other sleep sounds, such as snoring or sleep talking, as they originate from the larynx or vocal cords, rather than the throat.
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is classified as a chronic respiratory disorder. It is believed to be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem, such as small upper airways or inspiratory flow limitation. Some experts hypothesise that the disorder may be related to dysfunctional neurons in the respiratory centre of the brain. Psychological or psychiatric stress is not considered a root cause.
Due to the rarity of catathrenia, researchers are still investigating the best treatments for the disorder. Treatment options typically target the root cause and may include therapy or deep breathing exercises. In some cases, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines have been found to help treat catathrenia by using mild air pressure to keep the airways open.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of catathrenia, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider or sleep specialist for diagnosis and treatment. A polysomnography or sleep study can be used to rule out other respiratory issues or sleep disorders and identify any possible obstructions to breathing.
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REM sleep behaviour disorder: a person may act out their dreams
Growling in your sleep could be a symptom of REM sleep behaviour disorder, a condition characterised by sudden body movements and vocalisations while experiencing vivid dreams during REM sleep. Typically, those with REM sleep behaviour disorder are unaware of their nocturnal behaviours and are often informed by a bed partner or roommate.
During REM sleep, the body usually experiences temporary paralysis, while the brain remains active and dreaming. However, for those with REM sleep behaviour disorder, paralysis does not occur, and they physically act out their dreams. Symptoms include vivid or frightening dreams, physical movements, and vocalisations during sleep. People with this disorder can be easily awoken during an episode and, upon waking, are usually alert and coherent and can recall the content of their dreams. Episodes can occur once or multiple times during the night, and a person may experience them a few times a year or every night.
REM sleep behaviour disorder often coexists with other neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, and multiple system atrophy. It is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 50, and symptoms tend to worsen over time. Due to the violent nature of their movements, individuals with this disorder can pose a risk of injury to themselves and their bed partners.
Another possible explanation for nocturnal growling is catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder characterised by groaning or moaning during sleep. These sounds typically last between two and 49 seconds and occur during REM sleep. People with catathrenia are often unaware of their disorder and are informed by family members or sleep partners. The exact cause of catathrenia is unclear, but it is believed to be related to the neurons in the respiratory centre of the brain.
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Parasomnias: a group of sleep disorders affecting sleep negatively
Sleep growling could be a symptom of sleep paralysis, a phenomenon where a person becomes conscious but is unable to move or speak. It is often accompanied by hallucinations and a feeling of dread.
Growling in your sleep could also be a symptom of catathrenia, a rare sleep disorder characterised by groaning, moaning, humming, or making cracking sounds while asleep. Catathrenia is generally harmless and does not affect the sleep of those who suffer from it. However, it can be disturbing to those who hear it. The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is believed to be associated with an underlying sleep-related breathing problem.
Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders that negatively affect a person's ability to fall asleep, remain asleep, or wake up. Here are some examples of parasomnias:
- Sexsomnia: People with sexsomnia may self-touch or try to be sexually intimate with others while sleeping. They may also exhibit more aggressive, dominant, and uninhibited behaviour. Doctors are unsure what causes sexsomnia, but factors such as sleep deprivation, stress, and anxiety are believed to contribute.
- Exploding head syndrome: People with exploding head syndrome hear extremely loud noises when falling asleep or waking up. These episodes are typically painless and brief but can be confusing and unsettling.
- REM sleep behaviour disorder: People with this disorder do not fully lose muscle tone during REM sleep, so they may act out their dreams. This can include talking, yelling, punching, kicking, jumping out of bed, arm flailing, and grabbing.
- Sleepwalking: Sleepwalking involves complex behaviours that occur during sleep, such as walking or performing tasks. The person is usually unaware of their actions and may not remember them later.
- Sleep talking: Sleep talking ranges from simple sounds to long, complex conversations. The sleeper may engage in seemingly appropriate responses to questions or comments but usually does not remember the conversation the next day.
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Stress: growling may be linked to stress, as it can trigger negative dreams
While the exact causes of growling in your sleep are not fully understood, it may be linked to stress. Catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning, is a rare sleep disorder that causes people to groan, moan, or make other loud noises while sleeping. While catathrenia is not believed to be caused by psychological or psychiatric stress, some people who experience sleep paralysis and growling have reported that it happens more often when they are stressed or going through something emotionally difficult.
Catathrenia is generally harmless, but it can be disruptive to those sleeping nearby. People with this disorder typically produce loud, drawn-out, monotone groans or moans while exhaling, and these sounds can be very different from other sleep sounds like snoring or talking. The groaning sounds can last between two and 50 seconds and usually occur during REM sleep, the period when people consolidate memories and dreams. However, catathrenia can also occur during other sleep periods.
While catathrenia itself is not believed to be caused by stress, some experts suggest that stress management techniques like therapy or deep breathing exercises might help manage the condition. Additionally, addressing any underlying stress that may be triggering negative dreams could potentially reduce the occurrence of sleep growling.
It is important to note that if growling in your sleep is accompanied by other symptoms such as disrupted sleep and fatigue, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional. A doctor can help rule out other similar sleep disorders and determine if any treatment options are necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
Growling in your sleep could be a symptom of a rare sleep disorder called catathrenia, or nocturnal groaning. Catathrenia is generally harmless but can be startling for those who witness it.
People with catathrenia make groaning, moaning, humming, or cracking sounds while asleep. These sounds are usually made during exhalation, rather than inhalation, and can last between two and 50 seconds.
The exact cause of catathrenia is unknown, but it is classified as a chronic respiratory disorder. Some experts believe it could be caused by dysfunctional neurons in the part of the brain that controls breathing.
Catathrenia is usually diagnosed with a sleep study called a polysomnogram, which can show changes in breathing patterns and record the groaning sounds. A physical exam of the nose, mouth, and throat may also be conducted to identify any possible obstructions to breathing.
While catathrenia is generally harmless and does not affect the sleep of those who suffer from it, there are treatment options available. These include using a white noise machine, sleeping alone, and using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to keep breathing airways open.
