What is Exploding Head Syndrome?
Exploding head syndrome, originally called ‘snapping of the brain’, is a condition that happens during sleep. It is characterised by noises perceived inside the head during the night. The most common symptom includes hearing a loud explosion-like noise as one drifts off to sleep or upon awakening. The former is a type of hypnogogic hallucination, and the latter is a type of hypnopompic hallucination. Although they are hallucinations, which are imagined, the noises in exploding head syndrome feel very realistic at the time they occur.
It has also been described in the following ways: a painless loud bang; a clash of cymbals and a bomb exploding. These noises may one awake and keep one from falling back to sleep. It might happen only once, or a person may have recurring experiences. The loud noise typically only happens when a person is going between sleep stages and usually goes away once he is awake. Some people also see flashes of light along with loud noises. Other additional symptoms include elevated heart rate, a sense of fear or distress, and muscle twitches.
The attacks last only seconds and terrify patients despite the absence of pain. The episodes have been shown by sleep study to appear during any stage of sleep.
Persons at risk and treatments
People with high-stress levels or a history of other sleep interruptions seem to be at a higher risk of having exploding head syndrome. While doctors used to think it was more common in older adults and women, newer research suggests it’s fairly common in college students as well.
There is controversy regarding the underlying cause of exploding head syndrome. Some scientists think it could be minor seizures in the temporal lobe of the brain; sudden shifts in the parts of the middle ear; stress or anxiety.
If a person notices exploding head symptoms while he is sleep-deprived, then trying to get more sleep every night makes sense. Most people need between six and eight hours of sleep in a night. Alcohol may make the problem worse as it leads to fragmentation of sleep. Clomipramine, an antidepressant, is a common treatment for exploding head syndrome. Calcium channel blockers may also help.
If a person tends to have more episodes when he is stressed, he can find ways to ease his anxiety like practicing progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing or visualisation techniques.
