Signs of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

The brain and body go through a number of characteristic changes for REM sleep, including:

– Body temperature changes
– Body twitching affecting arms, legs, and face
– Increased blood pressure
– Increased brain activity similar to awake states
– Increased heart rate
– Increased oxygen use by the brain
– Rapid eye movements
– Rapid, irregular breathing
– Sexual arousal
– A state of temporary paralysis (atonia)

A diagnosis for REM sleep behavior disorder is based on the following criteria:

– Repeated times of arousal during sleep involving talking, making noises, or performing complex motor behaviors, such as running movements, that often relate to what is happening in the dream
– Recalling dreams associated with these movements/sounds
– If awakening during when the episode is occuring, the individual is alert and not confused or disoriented
– Polysomnography (sleep study) shows increased muscle activity during REM sleep
– Sleep disturbance is not caused by external stimuli, medication, a mental health disorder, or substance abuse

Studies have been conducted on the effects of little to no REM sleep, which found that:

– Lack of REM can also lead to an increase in migraine headaches, which is due to changes in the levels of key brain proteins associated with causing migraine headaches
– Too little REM sleep may also increase the risk for dementia later in life, as much as a 9 percent increase risk of dementia and a 9 percent increase in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
– Lack of rapid eye movement sleep may interfere with long-term memory due to reduced cell proliferation in the part of the brain associated with long-term memory
– Weight problems are associated with a lack of REM sleep, which has been associated with weight problems in both teenagers and children
– Coping skills and reflexes may diminish, resulting in a reduced ability to handle difficult situations and to show defensive responses in threatening environments

There are several behaviors that a person can practice to improve their REM sleep quality, and many of these can help with sleep in general. Some are natural ways to improve the quality of REM sleep, while others are ways to minimize the risk of injury during an episode of REM sleep behavior disorder, and include:

– Avoid consuming alcohol and caffeine
– Get plenty of daily exercises
– Sleepaway from windows, if possible
– Place bed against a wall or install guard rails to prevent falling out of bed
– Remove furniture with sharp corners or place protective coverings on corners and remove potentially dangerous objects from the bedroom, such as scissors, glass, and heavy objects
– Sleep in a separate room from others

At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we care about the quality of your sleep. Our kind and compassionate professionals are dedicated to helping you improve your quality of life by getting a good night’s rest. To provide care for as many people as possible, Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders has convenient locations near you in Bloomington, IL; Peoria – Dunlop, IL; Mishawaka, IN; Kansas City, MO; Wausau, WI; and El Paso, TX. To find out which Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders is closest to you, visit our Locations page! We look forward to serving you!