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!
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?
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.
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.
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A visit to the emergency ward (ER) of a hospital can definitely feel scary, and you want every reason to avoid ending up there as a patient. From broken bones to life-threatening emergencies, it’s a place filled with urgency, uncertainty, and intense emotions. Imagine what doctors and other health workers face every day.
However, while many cases are unavoidable, there are several that can be completely prevented, said doctors, while sharing a few. These include:
However, ignoring symptoms like a persistent stomachache or a nagging cough can allow a condition to worsen over time, eventually leading to an emergency.
“People say, ‘It’s pretty mild. I’m not worried about it,’” Dr. Evelyn Huang, an emergency-room physician with Orlando Health, was quoted as saying to Time.
“Days become weeks, weeks become months, and months can even become years, and by the time they're seeing me, these things have progressed so far that they’re now something dangerous.”
Seeking timely medical advice and not delaying checkups can help prevent complications and avoid unnecessary ER visits, the expert said.
Dr. Cheyenne Falat, assistant medical director of the adult emergency department at University of Maryland Medical Center stated that every time a patient comes ER with a drowning case, he hears the same story.
“I would have been watching them, but I thought the babysitter was watching them. I thought my spouse was watching them. I thought their grandparents were watching them.”
The doctor recommended instead starting swimming lessons as early as possible. She also urged for fences with childproof gates near pools.
People often don’t realize how quickly conditions can turn.
“They think, ‘I won’t be at risk for hypothermia because it's a little warmer during the day,’” said Falat. “Then they sweat,” which can leave their clothing damp and their bodies more vulnerable once temperatures drop.
Heat-related illnesses include mild dehydration to heat exhaustion and, in the most extreme cases, heat stroke, which can be deadly.
Recently, for example, he treated a young woman who came to the ER with neck pain, a hoarse voice, and bruising; she assured Yoo that she had wanted her partner to choke her. “I’m not judging anyone who enjoys this, but it's way more dangerous than people think,” he said.
A harmless party drug -- gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, or GHB -- can also turn life-threatening. It is a clear, odorless substance sometimes called “liquid ecstasy.”
While in small amounts, it can make people feel relaxed or euphoric, but when taken in overdose, it can lead to unconscious and breathing difficulties. “It’s one of the most awful sights,” Yoo said , adding that in severe cases, some patients need to be put on a ventilator to survive.
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In today’s hyper-connected world, access to health information has never been easier. Yet, ironically, the ability to understand and apply that information remains one of the biggest barriers to better health outcomes.
This is where health literacy comes in, not just the ability to read a pamphlet or follow a doctor’s prescription, but the broader skill of accessing, comprehending, and using health information to make informed decisions for oneself, one’s family, and one’s community.
While definitions vary, there is consensus that health literacy is multi-dimensional. It involves confidence, critical thinking, and practical skills, knowing when to seek care, how to evaluate health claims, and how to follow treatment correctly. In essence, health literacy is the foundation of preventive care and treatment adherence, and its absence can be devastating.
The scale of the problem in India is stark: nearly 90 percent of Indians have low health literacy. This gap directly affects patient outcomes, from delayed diagnoses and poor compliance with treatment to preventable complications and higher healthcare costs.
Several factors explain this reality:
Low health literacy doesn’t just harm individuals; it amplifies inequities and strains the entire healthcare ecosystem. It also worsens misinformation, as people turn to social media or word-of-mouth for guidance, often encountering unverified or unsafe advice.
Certain health check ups can help improve the chances of conception. (Photo credit: iStock)
Planning for pregnancy is an important step that requires proper health preparation for both partners. Preconception health screening helps couples understand fertility status and detect any underlying health issues. Doctors recommend that couples undergo certain medical tests before trying to conceive so that any health concerns can be identified and managed early. Here are some of the tests before pregnancy that can help couples identify potential risks early and improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy. Couples should opt for these tests without fail to ensure a smooth pregnancy.
While many people focus on health during pregnancy, preparing for pregnancy is also equally important. By opting for some crucial tests, couples can improve their chances of a smooth pregnancy and reduce the risk of complications.
Dr. Payal Narang, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Lullanagar, in an interview with Health and Me, listed some of the important health check-ups for men and women that must be considered before pregnancy.
Couples should follow the advice given by the doctor and take these tests for a smooth pregnancy.
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