What do you unconsciously do at night?
When you think of sleeping problems, you quickly think of difficulty falling asleep, turning and tossing and turning. The things you consciously experience in your bed. Sometimes the body also ‘misbehaves’ while you sleep and you appear to be doing things at night that you had no idea about. Until a friend or partner points it out to you.
Many sleep behaviors such as drooling, snoring or flatulence are part of the natural sleep process. But sometimes that innocent sleeping behavior does indicate an underlying medical problem.
snoring
snoring It is caused by a narrowing of the airways and vibrations of tissue in the nose and throat. It is often associated with a cold or allergy, but can also be a sign of a more serious condition such as sleep apnea.
The snoring sound is not what is of concern. If the narrowing causing the snoring is causing difficulty in breathing or interfering with sleeping, it is a good idea to seek medical advice.
drool
The same is actually true for drooling. This can be a normal phenomenon, but also a condition that increases saliva production. If you drool regularly, you may be at risk for airway congestion or sleep apnea.
sleepwalking
Normally we are ‘paralyzed’ during the dream phase of our night’s rest. During the day sleepwalking you are in a semi-conscious state and part of the brain is active. Often a sleepwalker’s eyes are simply open.
Sleepwalking can be dangerous, especially because we can hurt ourselves or our sleeping partner. In extreme cases, for example, someone can go into the kitchen and turn on the oven. If you exhibit such complex behaviors while sleeping, it’s time to see a doctor.
Talking in your sleep
Whether it’s whole conversations, or just a little mumbling, talk in your sleep is harmless in itself. However, with screaming and anxious screaming, it is a different case. This often indicates nightmares, which are more common in children than adults. Nightmares occur during the REM sleep; so you won’t remember it the next morning.
bedwetting
Bedwetting is an embarrassing affair for many people. However, if it happens to you, it shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Especially not if you dream about going to the toilet.
However, regular bedwetting is often an indication of an underlying problem. It can help to keep track of when you suffer from wet nights. In any case, a visit to your doctor is recommended.
wet dream
Nocturnal orgasms are a completely natural phenomenon and can occur in both men and women. This so-called wet dreams mainly occur during REM sleep.
Flatulence
Also flatulence is a common but harmless nocturnal ‘problem’. Whether you suffer from this depends on your digestive tract and your diet. If you suffer from flatulence, it is wise to take a closer look at your diet.
Sleep fit
While nodding, we sometimes experience a sleep fit or hypnagogic shock. This is an involuntary convulsion of the muscles that often occurs during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. This convulsion is often described as a falling sensation or electric shock.
The sleep fit is a very normal phenomenon and most people are familiar with this phenomenon. The convulsion mainly occurs when people are overtired or in an uncomfortable position. Sleep fits are generally harmless.
Need help?
Sleep is an extremely important part of our health. Both quality and quantity must be right. In addition, it is important that you are aware of what you are doing while sleeping. If a problem persists, no matter how harmless it may seem, it is always a good idea to have it checked.
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