Hunter Boyce | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)
Parasomnia – this is a general term for pesky behaviors that disrupt your sleep. One-third of American adults sleep less than the recommended amount, a nationwide problem linked to chronic illnesses ranging from depression to type 2 diabetes. Some parasomnias, however, don’t just affect the sleeper; they can affect others within earshot.
A common parasomnia that affects Americans is somniloquy, better known as talking in your sleep. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, it is a disorder that affects up to 65% of the population at some point in their lives. And it can be significantly disruptive for bedfellows.
“There are some things you, the bed partner, can do to save your sleep,” Dr. Carlos Schenck, professor and senior psychiatrist at the University of Minnesota Hennepin County Medical Center, told CNN. “But first make sure there are no hidden issues that could be causing the problem.”
The academy reported that, in itself, sleep talking is harmless. But it can also be a symptom of another, more harmful sleep disorder.
“If your sleep talking episodes increase in frequency, appear at an older age, or are accompanied by other symptoms such as limb movements or daytime sleepiness, you should talk to your doctor,” said l ‘academy. “In many cases, no treatment is necessary. If sleep talking is a symptom of another sleep disorder, your doctor will treat the underlying condition.
Jennifer Mundt, assistant professor of sleep medicine, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, told CNN that the first line of defense against sleep loss due to A bedfellow’s somniloquy is a white noise generator – a noisy fan will do the trick.
“Earplugs or comfortable noise-canceling headphones can also help,” she said. Schenck added that it can help to go to bed before your talking partner. Once you’re asleep, it will be harder for them to keep you up all night.
There’s no way to predict when a person will develop parasomnia, but a little detective work can help reveal a partner’s sleep triggers.
“The person who sleep talks should be very caring toward their partner,” Schenck said. “If sleeping on your back makes it worse, get a nightgown where you can put a tennis ball in the back of the shirt so you can’t sleep on your back.”
Common triggers include stress, alcohol, lack of sleep, disruption of sleep patterns, or sleeping in a new environment.
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