Many people suddenly feel while sleeping as if they are falling from a height or as if their body has been jolted. Sometimes the hands and legs move suddenly, and at times the entire body jerks up for a moment. In medical language, this condition is called a “hypnic jerk” or “sleep start”. According to health experts, it is a normal process and in most cases is not a sign of any serious illness.
Why does a sudden jerk occur during sleep?
When a person begins moving from wakefulness into sleep, the muscles gradually enter a state of relaxation. During this transition, a sudden signal sometimes travels from the brain to the muscles, causing a jerking sensation in the body. It lasts for less than a few seconds. Many people also feel as if they are falling or slipping along with it.
These factors can increase the problem
According to experts, lack of sleep, mental stress, anxiety, using a mobile phone or screen late at night, excessive intake of caffeine and nicotine, and strenuous exercise just before bedtime can increase the likelihood of hypnic jerks. An irregular routine also affects sleep quality.
When is it necessary to contact a doctor?
If the jerks occur repeatedly, sleep is continuously disturbed, or uncontrolled muscle movements occur even during the day, a medical examination should be done. If the jerks are accompanied by loss of consciousness, tongue biting, passing urine, or confusion after waking up, they should not be ignored as normal hypnic jerks. In some cases, these may be signs of a nervous system-related illness or seizures.
How to prevent it?
Get adequate sleep every day, keep sleeping and waking times regular, reduce tea and coffee intake after evening, and practise meditation or light exercise before sleeping to reduce stress. According to experts, normal hypnic jerks generally do not require any medicine or special treatment.
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