Spotlight Video | Learning About REM Behavior Disorder | Bruce C. Corser, MD, FAASM
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Dr. Bruce Corser practices Sleep Medicine in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. Corser studies, diagnoses, and treats sleep disturbances and disorders due to varying factors. Sleep Medicine Physicians are trained to treat many different conditions, including insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, idiopathic hypersomnia, menstrual-related... more
Learning About REM Behavior Disorder
REM Behavior Disorder is a unique sleep disorder where individuals physically act out their dreams. Normally, during REM sleep, a stage of the sleep cycle where vivid dreams occur, our bodies are essentially paralyzed, preventing us from physically responding to our dreams. However, individuals with RBD don't experience this paralysis, enabling them to move and even talk during their dreams.
Who Does RBD Affect?
While RBD primarily affects men over the age of 50, it's essential to note that it can also impact women and younger individuals. The disorder manifests in various ways, but common symptoms include shouting, flailing, and kicking during sleep, often accompanied by vivid, sometimes violent dreams.
What Causes RBD?
The exact cause of RBD remains a mystery. However, it is believed to be linked to the loss of normal REM sleep paralysis, which causes the disconnect between dream activity and muscle movement.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing RBD typically involves a sleep study or video recording of the affected person's sleep patterns. Treatment frequently includes medications such as Clonazepam to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, simple lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bedtime can help.
For safety, some individuals with RBD may need to use equipment like padded bed rails to prevent injuries to themselves or their bed partners. Treatment may also involve addressing any underlying neurological conditions contributing to RBD.
Outlook for RBD Patients
The prognosis for individuals with RBD varies depending on the severity of symptoms and underlying conditions. If left untreated, RBD can lead to injuries and a diminished quality of life. In rare cases, those with RBD may develop degenerative neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease.
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