Have you ever been so tired that the moment you hit the bed, you feel like you are sinking in your mattress? Or did you ever feel your leg twitch in middle of your sleep? Did you feel like you moved your leg to prevent yourself from falling down? If yes, then you are in for a great read!

Why does this happen?

You are not alone, this happens to around 70% of the total population in some way or another. Although these are signs of sleep disorders, it can also happen to people who are otherwise healthy. Sleep disorder specialists believe that there are certain common triggers that leads to such a sensation.

Our brain is exceptional and sometimes when we dream, it makes us believe that we our part of the dream. And if you are falling from somewhere in your dream, chances are, you would feel like you are falling in real life. This experience is known as hypnic jerk, the movement of your muscle that helps you be safe from that fall, or the imaginary one.

What causes it? When we sleep, our bodies become paralyzed, but that does not mean that our muscle control is not totally off. Rather, a slow, dimmer switch. When the dim switch randomly is turned on, we get jerky movements in our sleep.

This involuntary muscle movement is also called myoclonus or hypnic myoclonus, that transitions as you shift from one sleep phase into another.

ALSO SEE: What is sleep paralysis?

What Could Cause It?

There are many theories on what might be causing it. One of them is that when you are at this stage of sleep, you are still not in deep sleep and your brain misinterprets it as wakefulness, however, at the same time your brain does not recognize your muscles to be moving. This is what leads your brain to send a message to your muscles to check-in. It is a way your brain tries to protect you.

Another theory is of course that of stress. When you are stressed, your mind might be racing, while your body is in stationary. This can also affect your sleep cycle and your sleep can be disrupted.

If you are on stimulant drugs or alcohol, it too can prevent you from achieving a good night sleep. If you have consumed too much caffeine then too your muscles can twitch to make you stay awake.

Furthermore, lack of sleep could also be the reason why your mind is used to staying awake even if your body really needs the rest.

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

While the falling sensation in sleep is quite common, and happens to healthy people, a severe form is the Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). PLMD is a repetitive cramping or jerking of legs during sleep. It is a movement disorder that happens only during sleep. It is called "periodic" because the movements are repetitive and rhythmic, which means it occurs in every 20 to 40 seconds. It is also often linked with restless legs syndrome, however, the two are not the same thing.

Restless leg syndrome on the other hand is a condition that involves strange sensations in the legs and arms while awake and an irresistible urge to move the limbs to relive the sensations.

What causes PLMD may be more severe things, including diabetes, iron deficiency, spinal cord tumor, spinal cord injury, sleep apnea, uremia, anemia, narcolepsy, or certain medications.

There are many myths linked to heart health that can mislead people and prevent them from seeking timely help. This article helps to debunk the myths and keep the heart healthy. It is time to prioritize heart health. Dr Rahul Gupta, Director of Interventional Cardiology and Structural Heart Program, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, spoke about the common myths about heart disease and listed the facts as well.

Heart problems are commonly seen in people of all age groups. However, heart health is often surrounded by myths and misconceptions that can lead to confusion and poor lifestyle choices in people. So, heart health depends on multiple factors, including diet, activity, stress, and overall lifestyle, and not just one or two habits. Here, the expert helps to debunk the myths associated with heart health and improve the quality of life.

Dispelling myths surrounding heart health

Myth 1: Only older people are at risk of heart problems

Fact: People commonly believe that heart problems can only happen in old age. However, currently, a large number of youngsters aged 25-35 are also struggling with heart issues such as heart attacks and heart failure because of stress, unhealthy diets, and lack of exercise. So, heart problems are not limited only to older people. Anyone, irrespective of their age, can suffer from them. Hence, there is a need of the hour to go for regular heart check-ups and to initiate timely treatment for heart problems.

Myth 2: If you are fit, your heart is SAFE

Fact: So, being physically active is important, but it does not reduce the chances of heart problems. Be attentive to the family history, genetics, and other factors such as high cholesterol or even stress. So, go for cardiac screening on a yearly basis to know the status of your heart health. Discomfort in the arms, jaw, or back and light-headedness can also mean that your heart is in danger.

Myth 3: Heart disease is only seen in men

Fact: Shockingly, heart disease also causes higher morbidity and mortality rates in women. The symptoms seen in women linked to heart disease are dizziness, palpitations, and even giddiness. Hence, women should also focus on their heart health. Stay alert, stay safe!

Your heart health matters. By understanding the facts and making informed choices, it is possible for everyone to protect their heart and overall well-being.

Parkinson's disease is a condition that affects people with Parkinson's ability to move and do things on their own. People with Parkinson's disease will find that it gets worse over time. At first, medicines can help people with Parkinson's disease.

After a while, these medicines might not work as well as they used to for people with Parkinson's disease. Some people with Parkinson's disease might even feel bad because of the medicines they are taking for Parkinson's disease.

That is when doctors might suggest something called Deep Brain Stimulation, or DBS for short, to people with Parkinson's disease. Deep Brain Stimulation is a kind of help for people with Parkinson's disease.

What Is DBS?

DBS is a kind of surgery where doctors put wires into the brain. These wires are connected to a device that is put under the skin in the chest. This device sends messages to the brain to help it work better. The brain can get mixed up. Cause people to shake or move slowly. The messages from the device help fix that.

One of the things about DBS is that it can help people move better when medicines are not working well. People might shake less. Feel less stiff. They might even be able to take medicine, which can be good because it can reduce the side effects.

It is very important to remember that DBS is not a cure for Parkinson's disease. It does not make the disease go away. It can help people do things on their own again. Many people who have DBS say they can eat, walk, and dress themselves better. These are things that can be very hard for people with Parkinson's disease.

DBS Promising For Parkinson's Patients

Doctors have to be very careful about whom they recommend DBS to. It is usually for people who take medicines for Parkinson's disease. The medicines do not always work well. The doctors, surgeons, and therapists all have to work to make sure everything goes well.

Exciting things are happening with DBS. Soon, there might be devices that can adjust on their own to help people more. This means that people with Parkinson's disease might have more hope for feeling better.

DBS is a step forward from just taking medicines. It helps people take control of their bodies again. It helps them feel more independent and dignified. That can make a difference in their daily lives. Parkinson's disease is a hard condition to deal with, but with DBS, people might feel like they can do things again. They might feel like they have their life back. DBS is a promising treatment for people with Parkinson's disease.

Work, school, competition—stress appears to be inevitable these days. Across age groups, many are dealing with it in some form or the other, but unfortunately stress never stops at just headaches or fatigue. It has direct effects on an individual's health through causing disease (such as cardiovascular problems); it also has indirect effects on health by negatively influencing other health behaviors such as physical activity and sleep. It is also vital to note that stress is one of the leading health risks for people in the work environment. Healthcare professionals are advised to consider both major stressors and those that occur regularly. Further discussion about stress reduction strategies is provided.

Dr Anshuman Kaushal, Director of Robotic GI, Minimal Access & Bariatric Surgery at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, in an interview with Health and Me, spoke about the long-term effects of chronic stress and why it can be termed a lifestyle disorder.

Mechanisms of Chronic Stress

Exposure to certain stressors activates the HPA axis, and as a result, adrenaline and cortisol are released. While these hormones play a crucial role in survival during emergencies, they can result in serious health problems when continuously present in the body. Some of the most common consequences of stress are low immunity, insulin resistance, or inflammation. It can over time result in hypertension or heart disease.

Lifestyle as the Main Cause

With growing rates of urbanisation, competitive workplaces, financial issues, and the development of technology leading to a permanently accessible Internet, the boundaries between working time and time for rest have been blurred entirely. Moreover, an insufficient amount of sleep, poor sleeping habits, and a sedentary lifestyle cause stress as well. The young generation in India has become victims of stress-related disorders the most.

Identification of the Symptoms

One of the major challenges when identifying chronic stress cases lies in the subtlety of the condition. The list of symptoms includes constant fatigue, irritability, concentration issues, headaches, tight muscles, and insomnia. Other symptoms of the condition include gastrointestinal disorders such as acid reflux, bloating, and loss of appetite that are hardly ever associated with stress.

Long-term effects of stress

Chronic stress may appear harmless, but the truth is quite contrary. When an individual is stressed for too long without controlling it, it may result in anxiety disorders like depression. Physiological side effects of stress are:

1. Poor immunity
2. Inflammation
3. Obesity
4. Diabetes
5. Weakened memory
6. Mood swings

What makes chronic stress a lifestyle disease?

While most lifestyle disorders are caused by environmental factors and behavioural alterations, it can be termed a lifestyle disease. These disorders are progressive and require constant intervention in the form of medication or meditation.

Managing chronic stress

Doctors say that it takes a comprehensive strategy to reduce cortisol levels in the body and uplift mood. For instance, workouts like weight training or yoga are known to increase levels of happy hormones, thereby reducing stress. Breathing exercises and meditation, too, have a positive impact on mental health. Experts recommend combining them with nutrition, proper sleep, and socialising.

Early diagnosis matters

Chronic stress is not just a symptom of modern life but also a key health problem. Recognising it as a health issue and addressing it helps combat the long-term consequences well in time. And with continued changes in lifestyle habits and patterns, a lifestyle disease like chronic stress can also be brought under control for the better.