This book describes REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases

REM sleep is a phase of the sleep cycle that begins 90 minutes after falling asleep during a normal cycle.

Dreams happen in REM sleep.

During the REM phase of sleep, the muscles in the body normally go into a state of temporary paralysis.

In a person with RBD, this paralysis is not complete or even totally absent, so the person performs out their dreams, occasionally in dramatic or violent ways.

The lack of temporary muscle paralysis produces sleepers with RBD to become physically excited, vigorously moves their limbs, leaves the bed, and takes part in other actions linked to being awake.

In some instances, people with RBD might damage themselves or partners sharing their bed.

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a disorder in which the patient performs out the dreams while the patient sleeps.

These dreams are often very dramatic and can require a wide variety of movements.

REM sleep behavior disorder requires unusual actions or behaviors during the rapid eye movement sleep phase.

The disorder is a type of sleep disorder termed a parasomnia.

Parasomnias are sleep disorders in which strange or dangerous incidents happen that disrupt sleep.

While it can happen at any age, men over the age of 50 years most often have Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD).

Dissimilar to sleepwalking or night terrors, the patient can remember the dreams upon waking.

The start of REM sleep behavior disorder is often slow and it can become worse with time.

REM sleep behavior disorder may be linked with other neurological disorders, such as Lewy body dementia (dementia with Lewy bodies), Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy.

The risk of violent movement is higher if the person is having an intensive or terrifying dream.

If the person wakes up, they may recall their dream but have no idea that they took part in any movement.

An incident can happen with each REM phase, making around 4 per night.

They may only happen once a week or even once a month in infrequent cases.

The incidents are likely to happen towards the morning hours when REM sleep is more frequent.

Most patients with REM behavior disorder will ultimately present with neurodegenerative diseases like parkinsonism, dementia with Lewy body, or multi-system atrophy.

There are also secondary reasons of RBD linked with narcolepsy or use of antidepressant medicines.

A patient may be cautioned about the future formation of these neurological disorders.

RBD happens in less than 1% of the population.

It was once thought that this disorder mostly involved men, but new data indicates that it happens in both men and women with similar frequency.

It often happens with other sleep problems or disorders which may need additional treatment.

If diagnosed, the patient should be evaluated by the doctor.

REM sleep behavior disorder may suggest a neurodegenerative disease or may be produced by some medicines.

In RBD, the muscles are not transiently paralyzed like they should be.

This permits the body to respond to the dreams.

The patient may start with small actions, such as talking or twitching, and progress to larger movements, such as jumping or kicking.

Symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder may be movements and noises.

Nocturnal sleep study (Polysomnogram) is the best way to diagnose REM sleep behavior disorder

The treatment involves preventive measures such as padding the bed hile sleeping to prevent injury...