Sleep Terrors
The condition in which there is intense fear, episodes of screaming, and walking and falling while sleeping. In sleep terrors there is undesired occurrence during sleep which is known as parasomnia. It is mostly affecting the children but it may also occur in adults in some conditions.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms are not usually specific because person who had sleep terror does not remember exactly what happened during that time. Some features of people who experience this condition include:
- Sweating
- Stare wide-eye
- Look frightened
- Screaming
- Aggressive behavior
- Does not remember what happened last night
Causes
Following factors involved in this condition:
- Fever
- Stress
- Travelling
- Sleep schedule disturbance
- Sleep derivational
- Alcohol
- Some medications
- Extreme tiredness
Diagnosis
After taking history and conducting physical examination your doctor might recommend the following tests:
- Discussing about symptoms with you and your parents
- Physical examination
- Blood test to rule out other causes
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of brain to rule out brain malignancy
Treatment
Treatment includes to avoid the triggering risk factors and reduce the signs and symptoms, treatment options include:
- Medications include benzodiazepines
- Avoid stress
- Treat underlying cause if present like sleep apnea disorder
- Anticipatory awakening includes to wake up the person before he or she experiences the sleep terror
Lifestyle and home remedies
Home remedies include:
- Take proper sleep
- Limit alcohol
- Avoid stress
- Make sleep schedule
- Eat healthy food