Now accepting Telehealth appointments.
For information about the Philips Respironics CPAP, BiPAP and Ventilator device recall, click here

Parasomnia Specialist

Synaptrx Sleep

Sleep Medicine Specialists & Pulmonary Medicine located in St. Paul, MN & West St. Paul, MN

Sleepwalking and night terrors are types of parasomnia. These sleep disorders may affect your ability to get restful sleep and your quality of life. At Synaptrx Sleep in St. Paul, Minnesota, Jagdeep Bijwadia, MD, and the team use state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment for parasomnias to improve your sleep and your health. For an appointment, call the office and speak with a friendly staff member or book online. Synaptrx Sleep also offers virtual consultations.

Parasomnia Q&A

What are parasomnias?

Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders that wake you up during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep or non-REM (NREM) sleep. These disorders may cause abnormal verbal or physical behaviors during sleep, such as sleepwalking or talking. 

Parasomnias may make it hard for you and your sleep partner to get a good night's rest.

What are the types of parasomnias?

Parasomnia types include NREM and REM parasomnias.

NREM sleep parasomnias:

Sleepwalking

With sleepwalking, you get out of bed and walk while still sleeping. You may wake up outside your room or home and not remember how you got there. 

Confusional arousals

People with confusional arousals may wake up feeling strange or confused. You may speak slowly, have confused thinking, or poor memory.  

Night terrors

With a night terror, you may sit up and scream during sleep and feel intense fear. However, you may have no memory of the night terror when you wake up. 

REM sleep parasomnias:

REM sleep behavior disorder

REM sleep behavior disorder is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder that causes you to act out vivid dreams as you sleep. 

Nightmare disorder

A nightmare disorder causes frequent disturbing dreams that cause you to wake up.

Sleep paralysis

With sleep paralysis, you’re unable to move your body when you’re falling asleep or waking up. You’re fully aware and unable to speak or move your arms, legs, or head. 

Sleep talking, bedwetting, sleep-related groaning, exploding head syndrome (imagining loud noises right before you fall asleep), and sleep-related eating disorders are also types of parasomnias. 

How are parasomnias diagnosed?

When you visit Synaptrx Sleep with concerns about parasomnia, the team conducts in-depth clinical exams to formulate an accurate diagnosis.

During your exam, they ask about your sleep problems, medical history, and the types of medications you take. To better understand your parasomnia, your provider may ask you to keep a sleep diary or request a sleep study. 

Synaptrx Sleep uses an at-home sleep study tool from Ectosense to confirm or rule out various sleep disorders.

How are parasomnias treated?

Treatment for your parasomnia depends on sleep disorder type, the severity of symptoms, and personal preferences. The team at Synaptrx Sleep educates you about your parasomnia and treatment options so you can make an informed decision about your treatment plan. 

Treatments may include medication, behavioral therapy, or lifestyle changes.

Parasomnias are serious sleep disorders that require medical care. To schedule a consultation with the sleep medicine experts at Synaptrx Sleep, call the office or book an appointment online today.