Another dreams of jumping over a hazard and wakes tumbling out bed and onto the floor.
What are the symptoms, causes, and treatments of this condition?
Learn about how this disorder can be diagnosed and treated to prevent injury.
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These periods become more prolonged as sleep progresses.
This is called REM behavior disorder.
This disorder may lead to accidental injury, including injury of bed partners.
There is associated dream-enactment behavior that is often violent.
Common behaviors include:
These behaviors frequently result in injury to the individual or their bed partner.
People who are afflicted may complain of disrupted sleep orexcessive daytime sleepiness.
REM behavior disorder affects fewer than 1% of adults.
It’s more common in men and adults over age 50.
Imaging studies are typically normal in REM behavior disorder if there is no associated neurodegenerative disorder.
However, the condition commonly occurs in the setting of other disorders.
Not everyone develops these associated conditions.
These are sometimes called pseudo-RBD.
Treatment is targeted toward the underlying cause instead.
This involves making the bedroom a safe place by removing nightstands and sharp objects.
In some cases, additional padding around the bed may be helpful.
Some people need to lock the door or windows to keep themselves from getting into mischief.
Once the movements are suppressed effectively with medication, fewer safety precautions may be necessary.
The medicationclonazepamis a highly effective treatment for most patients.
As an alternative, higher doses ofmelatoninhas been demonstrated to be effective in a few small trials.
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