Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder: Information, Symptoms and Causes

Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (RBD): Information, Symptoms and Causes

Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia sleep disorder characterized by the acting out of violent or dramatic dreams while in REM sleep.

RBD involves a dissociation between the various stages of sleep.

The average age of the onset of RBD is estimated to be around 60 years of age.

Symptoms

The major, and arguably only, abnormal feature or symptom of Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (RBD) is the loss of muscle atonia, that is the loss of muscle paralysis, during otherwise normal sessions of REM sleep. REM sleep is the stage of sleep during which the most vivid dreaming occurs, and the loss of muscle paralysis by RBD sufferers can lead to a wide range of behavioral releases during sleep. This extends from simple limb twitches to more complex integrated movements where RBD sufferers appear to be unconsciously acting out their dreams.

Random Sleeping Tip

There are people who prefer to sleep for a longer duration if they had less sleep the previous night. It is important to be considered here that if you have not had good enough sleep then you should not sleep for a longer duration because this will totally alter your routines. So it is pretty important that you get up at the same time that you have been every day so that you are able to maintain your routines properly.

The resulting behaviors and movements are often violent in nature and commonly result in injury to either the patient or their bed partner. Such injuries range from bruises and cuts to fractures, subdural haematoma, and other serious injuries.

In contrast, all other aspects of an RBD sufferer's sleep appear normal.

Causes

Approximately 60% of Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (RBD) cases are idiopathic (that is, they have no known cause).

However, the following are suspected or known causes for RBD:

Sex: RBD is far more common in males. Most studies report that only around a 10% of sufferers are female.

Please Note: This imbalance may be due to a referral bias, as violent activity carried out by men is more likely to result in harm and injury and is far more likely to be reported than injury caused to male bed partners by women. Or the imbalance may reflect a true difference in the prevalence of RBD as a result of genetic or androgenic factors.

Linked or Related Medical Conditions: It is now known that RBD appears in association with a variety of different injuries or medical conditions, such as:

Narcolepsy: this link is hardly surprising, as both RBD and Narcolepsy involve dissociation of sleep states probably arising from a disruption to the sleep control mechanisms.
Brain Injuries: RBD has also been reported following cerebrovascular accidents and neurinoma, indicating that damage to the brainstem area may precipitate RBD.
Drug or Alcohol Withdrawal: RBD may be acute and have a sudden onset if it is triggered by or associated with a drug treatment or withdrawal or with alcohol withdrawal.
Neurodegenerative Diseases: This includes RBD that is found in association with conditions such as Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, where it is often seen to precede the onset of neurodegenerative disease.

1. Types of Sleeping Disorders
Types of Sleeping Disorders Have you ever experienced lying wide-awake at night not being able to sleep while you partner is snoring away? I'm sure [...]

2. Narcolepsy: Information, Symptoms and Causes
Narcolepsy: Information, Symptoms and Causes Narcolepsy is a neurological condition most characterized by Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), episodes of sleep, and dysfunction of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. [...]

3. Sleep Apnea - A new Treatment Option for Children
Sleep Apnea - A new Treatment Option for Children General Sleep Apnea is a common sleep breathing disorder characterized by loud snoring. The impediment in the breathing process [...]

4. Persistent Insomnia: Definition and Helping Techniques
Persistent Insomnia: Definition and Helping Techniques How Serious is Persistent Insomnia? Persistent insomnia is a serious sleep disorder that affects millions of people in [...]

Sleeping Basics Types of Sleeping Disorders Snoring Sleeping Problems More Articles on Sleeping

About Us | Contact Us | Link to Us