Sleep Paralysis: Meaning, Diagnosis and Overview

What is Sleep Paralysis?

Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move or speak that happens when you are waking up or, less commonly, falling asleep. Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. Some people have sleep paralysis once or twice in their life, while others experience it a few times a month or more regularly. Sleep paralysis has been linked to disorders such as narcolepsy, anxiety disorders, and obstructive sleep apnoea (temporary breathing difficulty). 

 

Recovery Time

Generally it lasts for 1 to 2 minutes, but permanent cure can be seen by life style modifications.

Diagnosis

• Medical history
• Polysomnography (sleep study)

FAQs prepared by doctor

Q1.  What are the complications which sleep paralysis can arise?
In general, episodes of sleep paralysis are brief and are not accompanied by complications. Even if episodes are frequent, no sequela or serious effects on the life of the patient are presented, and the normal state returns between episodes.

Q2.  Will my sleep paralysis affect pregnancy?
The prevalence of sleep paralysis decreases during the first trimester of pregnancy, but mild increases during later pregnancy. Overall, Sleep paralysis does not seem to affect the pregnancy.

Q3.  I am going for a surgery. Will sleep paralysis affect the anesthetic effect?
Anesthesia does not seem to increase or reduce the frequency of sleep paralysis, and is not contraindicated for patients with sleep paralysis.