REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

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 REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a condition that causes people to act out their dreams during the REM period of their sleep cycle. Whereas people with normal sleep cycles enter a state of temporary paralysis during the REM stage of sleep — which protects them from injuring themselves and their bed partners while dreaming. 

People with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder have vivid dreams that can cause them to shout, hit, kick, flail their arms, punch, sleepwalk, run, leap out of bed or engage in other behaviors that can injure themselves or their bed partners. Less than one percent of the population suffers from REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Fortunately, this is a condition that can be treated with medication.

During normal sleep cycles, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occurs every 90 minutes to 2 hours while sleeping. During the REM stage of sleep, the brain releases a chemical that prevents a person from moving while they are actively dreaming. In people with RBD, the brain does not release the biochemical that prevents them from moving while dreaming.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder occurs more frequently in men than in women. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop the disorder, although it can occur at any age. People with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease are more susceptible to RBD.

RBD is typically diagnosed through a consultation where a complete history of your symptoms is taken followed by an overnight sleep study in a sleep laboratory where your sleep stages, heart rate, brain wave, and breathing will be monitored.

In most cases, RBD can be successfully managed with medication. After consultation and sleep study, Dr. Mathur will determine which treatment and medication is best for you.