Being crushed is a phenomenon that is often associated with mystical things. In fact, this condition can be explained medically and overcome with proper treatment. To find out the medical facts about being crushed, see the following explanation. Being crushed or medically known as sleep paralysis is a condition when a person is unable to speak or move when waking up from sleep or when going to sleep. This condition usually lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes.
Sleep paralysis can be experienced by anyone, from children to adults. However, this phenomenon is more at risk for people who have certain conditions, such as insomnia, anxiety disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition, there are other factors that can increase a person’s risk of experiencing sleep paralysis, including:
- Family history of sleep paralysis or hereditary factors.
- Lack of sleep or irregular sleep patterns.
- Leg cramps at night.
- Medicine abuse.
Although rare, this “paralysis” during sleep can also be a symptom of narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes sufferers to have difficulty staying awake for more than 3-4 hours.
Types of Sleep Paralysis and the Process of Occurrence
In general, sleep paralysis can be divided into two types, namely hypnopompic sleep paralysis and hypnagogic sleep paralysis. Here is the explanation:
- Hypnopompic sleep paralysis
When sleeping, the body will experience two phases, namely the NREM (non-rapid eye movement) and REM (rapid eye movement) phases. The NREM phase is marked when the body begins to feel more relaxed and the eyes begin to close. After that, this phase will switch to the REM phase. When the REM phase begins, the eyes will move quickly and dreams will appear. All the muscles of the body are inactive so that they cannot be moved, so the phenomenon of being crushed can occur if you wake up in this phase.
As a result, the brain is not ready to send a wake-up signal so that the body is difficult to move, but you have opened your eyes and are aware. When experiencing paralysis, you will feel pressure that makes it difficult to breathe. It is not uncommon for other sensations to appear, such as feeling that there is another figure nearby. This condition is a type of hallucination that often accompanies the phenomenon of paralysis. - Hypnagogic sleep paralysis
Unlike hypnopompic sleep paralysis which occurs from the sleep phase to the wake phase, hypnagogic sleep paralysis occurs from the wake phase to the sleep phase. When approaching sleep, the body will slowly lose consciousness. People who experience hypnagogic sleep paralysis seem to still be conscious so they can still feel things around them, but cannot speak or move their body.
How to Prevent and Treat Sleep Paralysis
Everyone actually has the possibility of experiencing sleep paralysis. There is no difference between men and women. Some experience sleep paralysis only 1-2 times in their lifetime, but there are also those who experience it several times in a month or even more often.
However, there are several things you can do to prevent sleep paralysis, including:
- Ensure sufficient sleep time, which is around 6-8 hours every night.
- Create a comfortable sleeping environment.
- Stop using gadgets at least 1 hour before bedtime.
- Get used to sleeping and waking up at the same time regularly.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can also reduce the risk of sleep paralysis, such as exercising regularly, reducing caffeine and alcoholic beverage consumption, and stopping smoking.
Signs of Sleep Paralysis to Watch Out For
Sleep paralysis often goes away on its own and does not require special treatment. However, see a doctor immediately if you experience the following:
- Excessive anxiety or worry.
- Feeling weak and tired all day.
- Not sleeping all night.
Doctors will usually treat this condition by giving antidepressants. However, the use of these drugs should only be done according to instructions and under the supervision of a doctor.
Well, now you know the medical explanation of the phenomenon of being crushed. Far from mystical, right? So, you don’t need to be afraid. However, if you still experience being crushed, more often, and feel very disturbing, consult a doctor so that the right examination and treatment can be carried out.
