NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Exploding head syndrome

Exploding head syndrome is a condition first reported by a British physician in 1988^[1] that causes the sufferer to occasionally experience a tremendously loud noise as if from within his or her own head, usually described as an explosion, roar or a ringing noise. This usually occurs within an hour or two of falling asleep, but is not the result of a dream and can happen during the day as well. Although perceived as tremendously loud, the noise is usually not accompanied by pain. Attacks appear to increase and decrease in frequency over time, with several attacks occurring in a space of days or weeks followed by months of remission. Sufferers often feel a sense of fear and anxiety after an attack, accompanied by elevated heart rate. Attacks are also often accompanied by perceived flashes of light (when perceived on their own, known as a "visual sleep start") or difficulty in breathing. The condition is also known as "auditory sleep starts." It is not thought to be dangerous, although it is sometimes distressing to experience. This article is about the medical term. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses of the word head, see head (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Sleep (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Dream (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fear (disambiguation). ... Anxiety is a physiological state characterized by cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral components (Seligman, Walker & Rosenhan, 2001). ... The heart and lungs, from an older edition of Grays Anatomy. ... For other uses, see Light (disambiguation). ...

Etiology

The cause of exploding head syndrome is not known, though some physicians have reported a correlation with stress or extreme fatigue. The condition may develop at any time during life and women are slightly more likely to suffer from it than men. Attacks can be one-time events, or can recur. In medical terms, stress is the disruption of homeostasis through physical or psychological stimuli. ... The word fatigue is used in everyday living to describe a range of afflictions, varying from a general state of lethargy to a specific work induced burning sensation within muscle. ...

The mechanism is also not known, though possibilities have been suggested; one is that it may be the result of a sudden movement of a middle ear component or of the eustachian tube, another is that it may be the result of a form of minor seizure in the temporal lobe where the nerve cells for hearing are located. Electroencephalograms recorded during actual attacks show unusual activity only in some sufferers, and have ruled out epileptic seizures as a cause.^[2] The middle ear is the portion of the ear internal to the eardrum, and external to the oval window of the cochlea. ... The Eustachian tube (or auditory tube) is a tube that links the pharynx to the middle ear. ... This article is about epileptic seizures. ... The temporal lobes are part of the cerebrum. ... For other uses, see Nerve (disambiguation). ... Electroencephalography is the neurophysiologic exploration of the electrical activity of the brain by the application of electrodes to the scalp. ... This article is about the neurological disorder as it affects humans. ...

Treatment

Symptoms may be resolved spontaneously over time. It may be helpful to reassure the patient that this symptom is harmless. Clomipramine has been used in three patients, who experienced immediate relief from this condition.^[2] Clomipramine (brand-name AnafranilÂ®) is a tricyclic antidepressant. ...

Other sleep phenomena

A profile of a smile, exhibiting significant wear, especially on the maxillary incisors. ... A hypnic or hypnogogic jerk is an involuntary muscle twitch (more generally known as myclonus or a myclonic twitch) which often occurs during the transition from wakefulness to sleep (see hypnogogia). ... Sleep apnea, sleep apnoea or sleep apnÅ“a is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. ... Sleepwalking (also called noctambulism or somnambulism) is a sleep disorder where the sufferer engages in activities that are normally associated with wakefulness while asleep or in a sleeplike state. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Nightmare, by Henry Fuseli (1781) is thought to be one of the classic depictions of sleep paralysis perceived as a demonic visitation. ...

See also

Brain zaps, (proposed name: myalotinasis from Greek for brain + jolt) also known as the electric brain thing, brain shivers, brain shocks, battery head, blips, or brain spasms, are a fairly common and notorious withdrawal symptom experienced during discontinuation (or reduction of dose) of SSRI and SNRI antidepressant drugs. ... Scanners is a 1981 action / science fiction / horror film written and directed by David Cronenberg. ...

References

External links

For other uses, see Sleep (disambiguation). ... Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the normal stage of sleep characterized by rapid movements of the eyes. ... The sleep stages 1 through 4 are collectively referred to as NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep. ... Polysomnogram demonstrating SWS. High amplitude EEG is highlighted in red. ... Beta waves Beta wave, or beta rhythm, is the term used to designate the frequency range of brain activity above 12 Hz (12 transitions or cycles per second). ... A delta wave is a large, slow brain wave associated with deep sleep. ... Gamma waves A gamma wave is a pattern of brain waves, associated with perception and consciousness. ... In humans, a theta wave is an electroencephalogram pattern normally produced while awake but relaxed or drowsy. ... Advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS) is a sleep disorder in which patients feel very sleepy early in the evening (e. ... Automatism, from the Greek automatismos or self action, is the spontaneous production of often purposeless verbal or motor behavior without conscious self-control, self-conceptualization or self-censorship. ... Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are a family of sleep disorders affecting the timing of sleep. ... Delayed sleep-phase syndrome (DSPS) is a chronic disorder of sleep timing. ... Dyssomnias are a broad classification of sleeping disorder that make it difficult to get to sleep, or to stay sleeping. ... Hypersomnia, also known as excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), is excessive amount of sleepiness. ... Hypersomnia, also known as excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), is excessive amount of sleepiness. ... This article is about the sleeping disorder. ... For other uses, see Narcolepsy (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Night Terror. ... Nocturia is the need to get up during the night in order to urinate, thus interrupting sleep. ... Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD), also called nocturnal myoclonus, is a sleep disorder where the patient moves involuntarily during sleep. ... Non 24-hour sleep phase syndrome, also termed non 24-hour circadian rhythm disorder or hypernychthemeral syndrome, is a sleep disorder in which a persons internal clock runs longer than 24 hours. ... Ondines Curse, Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome or primary alveolar hypoventilation, is a respiratory disorder that is fatal if untreated. ... A parasomnia is any sleep disorder such as sleepwalking, sleepeating, sleep sex, teeth grinding, night terrors, rhythmic movement disorder, REM behaviour disorder, restless leg syndrome, and somniloquy (or sleep talking), characterized by partial arousals during sleep or during transitions between wakefulness and sleep. ... Sleep apnea, sleep apnoea or sleep apnÅ“a is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. ... Sleep deprivation is a general lack of the necessary amount of sleep. ... Sleepeating or Nocturnal Eating Syndrome is a parasomnia where people experience recurrent episodes of eating during their sleep, without being aware of it. ... Sleeping sickness or African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease in people and animals, caused by protozoa of genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by the tsetse fly. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Sleepwalking (also called somnambulism or noctambulism[1]), under the larger category of parasomnias or sleep disorders where the sufferer engages in activities that are normally associated with wakefulness while he or she is asleep or in a sleeplike state. ... For other uses, see Dream (disambiguation). ... The current usage of the term nightmare refers to a dream which causes the sleeper a strong unpleasant emotional response. ... Hypnos and Thanatos,Sleep and His Half-Brother Death by John William Waterhouse Wikibooks has a book on the topic of Lucid dreaming A lucid dream is a dream in which the person is aware that he or she is dreaming while the dream is in progress. ... A false awakening is an event in which someone dreams they have awakened from sleep. ... The Nightmare, by Henry Fuseli (1781) is thought to be one of the classic depictions of sleep paralysis perceived as a demonic visitation. ... Hypnagogia (also spelled hypnogogia) describes vivid dream-like auditory, visual, or tactile sensations, which are often accompanied by sleep paralysis and experienced when falling asleep or waking up. ... A hypnic or hypnagogic jerk is an involuntary muscle twitch (more generally known as myoclonus or a myoclonic twitch) which often occurs during the transition from wakefulness to sleep (see hypnagogia). ... A nocturnal emission is an ejaculation of semen experienced by a male during sleep. ... Somnolence (or drowsiness) is a state of near-sleep, a strong desire for sleep, or sleeping for unusually long periods. ... Dream worlds are a commonly used plot device in fictional works, most notably in science fiction and fantasy fiction. ... Bedding refers to the materials laid above the mattress of a bed for warmth. ... This article is about the cushion. ... A bed sheet is a large piece of cotton or linen cloth used to cover a mattress. ... A double duvet. ... For other uses, see Blanket (disambiguation). ... A quilt is a type of puppy with long fluffy ears. ... A sleeping bag is a protective bag for a person to sleep in, essentially a blanket that can be closed with a zipper or similar means, and functions as a bed in situations where it is impractical to carry around a full bed. ... Nightwear, also called sleepwear, nightclothes, or nightdress, is clothing designed to be worn while sleeping. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A child wearing a blanket sleeper. ... Fashionable young men in early 16th century Germany showed a lot of fine linen in a studied negligence. ... The negligee is a form of womenswear intended for wear at night and in the bedroom or in a airport parking lot. ... Pink chiffon nightie A nightgown (also called a nightdress) is a loosely hanging item of nightwear nowadays solely for women, Its length may vary from hip-length (babydoll) to floor-length (peignoir) but is typically knee-length. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Nightcap (disambiguation). ... A peignoir is a long nightgown for women usually sheer and made of chiffon. ... Look up Pajamas in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Short pink chiffon nightgown Black slip nightgown A nightgown (also called a nightdress) is a loosely hanging item of nightwear nowadays mostly for women. ... For other uses, see Bed (disambiguation). ... A Bunkbed A bunk bed is a type of bed in which one bed is stacked on top of another. ... A four poster bed is a bed with four posts which support a tester. ... A futon in Japan A futon in the U.S. A futon ) is a type of mattress that makes up a Japanese bed. ... Garden hammock A couple in a hammock on the beach The hammock is a fabric sling used for sleeping or resting. ... A pillow top queen-size mattress. ... Genera & Species Genus Cimex Cimex lectularius Cimex hemipterus () Cimex pilosellus Cimex pipistrella Genus Leptocimex Leptocimex boueti Genus Haematosiphon Haematosiphon inodora Genus Oeciacus Oeciacus hirudinis Oeciacus vicarius Bedbugs (or bed bugs) are small nocturnal insects of the family Cimicidae that live by hematophagy, that is by feeding on the blood of... A bedroom is a room where people sleep. ... Bedtime is a popular parenting tradition that involves, to a greater or lesser extent, rituals made to help children feel more secure [1], and become accustomed to a comparatively more rigid schedule of sleep than they would sometimes prefer. ... Bedtime Stories track listing GHV2 track listing For the 1964 comedy film, see Bedtime Story (film). ... Chronotype is an attribute of human beings reflecting whether they are alert and prefer to be active early or late in the day. ... Jet lag (or jet-lag) is a physical condition caused by crossing multiple time zones during flight. ... For other uses, see Lullaby (disambiguation). ... Polyphasic sleep is a term used to describe several alternative sleep patterns intended to reduce sleep time to 2â€“6 hours daily in order to achieve a better quality of sleep. ... A power nap (sometimes called a catnap) is a short nap, usually 15-20 minutes, intended to revitalize the subject from drowsiness while working, coined by Cornell University social psychologist James Maas. ... A painting of a young woman taking a siesta. ... Many competing theories have been advanced to discover the possible connections between sleep and learning in humans. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Sleep inertia is a physiological state characterised by a decline in motor dexterity and a subjective feeling of grogginess, immediately following an abrupt awakening from deep sleep. ... For other uses, see Sleepover (film). ... Snoring is the act of breathing through the open mouth in such a way as to cause a vibration of the uvula and soft palate, thus giving rise to a sound which may vary from a soft noise to a loud unpleasant sound. ...

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