Exploring Parham's Unconscious Actions During Sleep

Sleep is a complex and mysterious process that remains partially unknown to scientists. While we sleep, our body powers down and most of our systems become less active. However, sleep is far from a passive activity. During sleep, our body performs crucial tasks such as energy conservation, self-repair, and brain maintenance. Our brain also remains active, clearing out and reorganizing memories, as well as experiencing sleep paralysis to protect us from acting out our dreams. Sleep is essential for our health and well-being, and insufficient sleep can lead to various issues, including trouble concentrating, mood changes, a weakened immune system, and an increased risk of metabolic problems and cardiovascular disease. While we may be unaware of what happens during sleep, our body is hard at work, ensuring we wake up rested and rejuvenated.

Sleep-walking

Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, is a parasomnia—a category of sleep disorder that can affect both REM and non-REM sleep. While sleepwalking, a person may perform everyday activities, such as eating, drinking, or even sexual activity, all without conscious awareness. Sleepwalkers may also engage in more complex behaviours, such as cooking, which can pose a risk of injury.

The causes of sleepwalking are not yet fully understood by scientists. However, it is believed that emotional or psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, or depression, may contribute to the condition. Additionally, certain medications, alcohol consumption, and sleep deprivation are known risk factors.

If you suspect that you or someone you know may be sleepwalking, it is important to consult a healthcare professional or sleep specialist. They may recommend a sleep study, which involves monitoring an individual's sleep patterns and bodily functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and brain activity, to diagnose any underlying sleep disorders.

To manage sleepwalking, experts recommend improving sleep hygiene practices. This includes maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, and avoiding bright lights and electronic devices before bed. It is also crucial to address any underlying sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, which can disrupt sleep and contribute to sleepwalking.

While sleepwalking itself is not harmful, the potential risks associated with complex behaviours during sleepwalking episodes, such as cooking or driving, can lead to dangerous situations. Therefore, it is essential to seek professional help if sleepwalking is a concern.

Sleep-talking

The exact cause of sleep-talking is unclear, but it may be triggered by stress, mental health conditions, sleep deprivation, and jet lag. There is also evidence that it may have a genetic component, with some studies finding that sleep-talking can run in families.

While sleep-talking is usually harmless, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious sleep disorder or health condition, such as REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) or sleep terrors. In most cases, however, treatment is not necessary. Maintaining proper sleep hygiene, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed and establishing a consistent sleep schedule, can help to minimise sleep-talking.

If sleep-talking is causing disruptions to your sleep or the sleep of those around you, it may be helpful to consult a doctor or sleep specialist. They can help identify any underlying causes and recommend appropriate treatments.

Teeth-grinding

Causes of Teeth Grinding

The exact causes of teeth grinding are not always clear, but several factors have been identified as contributing to the condition:

• Stress and anxiety: This is the most common cause of teeth grinding.
• Sleep problems: Disorders such as snoring and sleep apnoea can be associated with teeth grinding.
• Medication: Certain medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant, have been linked to teeth grinding.
• Substance use: Alcohol, caffeine, smoking, and recreational drugs like ecstasy and cocaine can increase the likelihood of teeth grinding.
• Family history: Teeth grinding tends to run in families, suggesting a possible genetic component.
• Medical conditions: Bruxism has been associated with various medical issues, including Parkinson's disease, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding

As teeth grinding often occurs during sleep, many individuals are unaware that they are doing it. Some common symptoms of bruxism include:

• Flattened, chipped, or loose teeth
• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Difficulty opening or closing the jaw completely
• Pain in the jaw, face, neck, or temples
• Chewing the inside of the cheek
• Clicking or popping in the jaw, indicating a problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Treatment Options

If you suspect you are grinding your teeth at night, it is important to consult a dentist or doctor to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Some common treatment options include:

• Mouth guards: A dentist can fit you with a mouth guard, or night guard, to protect your teeth from damage during sleep.
• Dental correction: In some cases, dentists may recommend grinding down certain teeth to improve the alignment of the bite. However, there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of this approach.
• Stress reduction: As stress and anxiety are common contributors to teeth grinding, finding ways to relax can help manage the condition. This may include stress counselling, exercise, physical therapy, or muscle relaxants.
• Sleep hygiene: Improving sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensuring a quiet and dark bedroom environment, can positively impact overall sleep quality and potentially reduce teeth grinding.
• Botox injections: Research has shown that injecting botox into the muscles involved in chewing can help ease the symptoms of bruxism.
• Addressing sleep apnea: If you have sleep apnea, treating this condition may also help reduce teeth grinding. Using a CPAP or BiPAP machine to keep your airway open during sleep may be beneficial.

Teeth grinding is a common issue that can have various causes and negative consequences for dental health and overall well-being. It is important to seek professional advice if you suspect you are grinding your teeth, as early intervention can help prevent further damage and improve your sleep quality.

Sleep-eating

Sleep-related eating disorders (SRED) are characterised by abnormal eating behaviours during sleep. People with this disorder sleepwalk to the kitchen and eat, often preparing food, without any recollection of the event afterward.

Symptoms of SRED

• Most people with SRED have an episode of eating nearly every night, with the episodes lasting around ten minutes.
• People with SRED tend to prefer thick, sugary, and high-calorie foods such as peanut butter or syrup.
• During an episode, people may get injured by handling knives and utensils, starting fires, or getting burns from careless cooking.
• SRED may develop slowly over time or begin quickly with nightly episodes.
• SRED can cause insomnia due to sleep disruption, loss of appetite in the morning, excessive weight gain and obesity, and worsened control of diabetes.
• SRED can also lead to the consumption of toxic substances, such as cleaning solutions, or foods that one is allergic to.

Risk Factors for SRED

• SRED is much more common in women than in men, with women representing about 65% to 80% of patients.
• The average age when SRED first occurs is between 22 and 29 years.
• SRED can develop on its own or as a result of certain medications, particularly those used to treat depression and sleep problems.
• Certain sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and irregular sleep-wake rhythm, are closely linked to SRED.
• Other factors that may contribute to the development of SRED include the use of certain medications, quitting smoking, ending the abuse of alcohol or drugs, daytime dieting or eating disorders, hepatitis, and encephalitis.

Treatment of SRED

• Safety measures are crucial for treating SRED, including putting locks on kitchen doors and cabinets, securely storing knives, and ensuring a safe path from the bedroom to the kitchen.
• Getting sufficient sleep is important, as episodes of SRED may increase with sleep deprivation.
• Medication can be helpful, but sleeping pills should be avoided as they can increase confusion and clumsiness, potentially leading to injury.
• Additional treatments may include methods to reduce stress and anxiety, such as stress management classes, assertiveness training, counselling, and limiting the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
• It is recommended to consult a sleep doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Sleep paralysis

During an episode, individuals may experience hallucinations, such as seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, which can result in intense emotions like fear and panic. They may also feel a sense of pressure on their chest, making it difficult to breathe, or have sensations of floating or being dragged out of bed.

The exact cause of sleep paralysis is not fully understood, but it is believed to be associated with a dysfunction in REM sleep. It can be triggered by various factors, including sleep deprivation, irregular sleep schedules, mental health conditions like anxiety and bipolar disorder, and substance use.

While there is no treatment to stop an episode of sleep paralysis, certain strategies may help. Focusing on moving small body parts, such as wiggling a finger or toe, can help break the paralysis. Additionally, improving sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine, can help prevent future episodes.

If you experience frequent sleep paralysis or it interferes with your daily life, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider. They can help identify any underlying causes and provide guidance on managing the condition.

Frequently asked questions