Why do we sometimes wake up from sleep with a loud noise? It may be related to this...

Expert in this article: Zhang Lisan, Executive Director of Sleep Medicine Center, Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Chief Physician of Neurology

Autumn is coming to an end and winter is coming. During this season change, the weather is often hot and cold, which will affect your sleep to some extent.

Some people cannot sleep well because they cannot fall asleep all the time, while others cannot sleep well because they wake up from their sleep. In addition to the "sleep paralysis" that we have previously popularized, there is another situation that many people have encountered:

You will feel a loud noise when you wake up, but when you wake up you will find that it is quiet around you and nothing is making a loud noise.

If a similar situation occurs, it may not be simply "not sleeping well" but rather exploding head syndrome, which requires attention.

What is going on with this unpleasant situation? Let’s find out today!

What is exploding head syndrome?

Exploding head syndrome is a parasomnia in which the sufferer is awakened by loud noises and suffers from a host of sleep problems.

So how loud is this loud noise? Patients describe it as a painless bang, the crash of cymbals, a bomb exploding, etc.

Not only that, but there may be a flash of light along with the sound, and muscle twitches may occur. Although not associated with physical pain, some patients report a sudden "stabbing pain" in the head, and many believe they are having a stroke.

The frequency of its attacks varies widely, from rarely to several times a night, which can greatly disrupt sleep. Others may go weeks or even months without an attack after having repeated attacks for several nights in a row.

It's not clear why exploding head syndrome occurs. It may occur more often when a person is very tired or stressed, and many people experience it less frequently over a period of years.

Exploding head syndrome may be confused with headache syndrome. But unlike headaches, exploding head syndrome is usually a painless attack without lingering pain.

It's unclear how many people have exploding head syndrome, but it may be more common in women than men. It can occur at all ages, with reports as early as age 10. The average age of first presentation is 58.

Is waking up by a loud noise exploding head syndrome?

You may have exploding head syndrome if:

Being awakened suddenly from sleep by a loud noise or explosion in the head, usually without any pain.

Please note that being awakened by a non-existent loud noise during sleep does not necessarily mean exploding head syndrome. It may also be caused by other sleep disorders, mental health disorders, side effects of individual medications, drug abuse, some other diseases, etc.

If it's so complicated, how do you diagnose exploding head syndrome?

How is exploding head syndrome diagnosed?

It should be noted that if this happens once in a while it's okay, but if it happens frequently and seriously disrupts your sleep, then you should go to the hospital.

To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor needs to know when your symptoms started, how often they occur, and how long they last. Also, be sure to tell your doctor about any past or current medications and drug use.

If you have any other sleep disorders, be sure to tell your doctor. Your doctor also needs to know if any of your family members have sleep problems. Filling out a sleep diary for two weeks can help with the diagnosis. A sleep diary will help your doctor understand your sleep patterns. This data gives your doctor clues about what is causing your problems and how to correct them.

People with exploding head syndrome don't usually need testing, but if their condition is really affecting their sleep, they may need a sleep study called a polysomnogram. This charts your brain waves, heartbeat, and breathing while you sleep. It also records how your arms and legs move while you sleep.

How is exploding head syndrome treated?

If you experience exploding head syndrome symptoms in the context of insufficient sleep, first consider getting more sleep each night, which will help reduce the frequency of exploding head syndrome. An adult generally needs seven or more hours of sleep each night.

If you have symptoms of exploding head syndrome caused by excessive stress, consider relaxing before bed to relieve stress. You can try taking a short walk, reading, or other activities that suit your conditions.

But be aware that drinking alcohol is not a good way to relieve stress and may even disrupt your sleep!

If these methods do not work, it is recommended to go to the hospital and follow the doctor's advice for treatment.

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