What is Sleep Talking and Should I be Concerned?

Say what? Find out why some people talk in their sleep.

Are you quite the gabber during the night, or is your sleeping partner? Learn more, below, about why people chatter during slumber.

Sleep talking is a sleep disorder defined as talking during sleep without being aware of it. Technically called “somniloquy,” talking while you get your zzz’s can occur during any stage of sleep, but it is most likely to be comprehensible to a bed partner during REM sleep. Talking during deeper sleep (NREM sleep, stages three and four) just sounds like gibberish. Talking during any sleep stage can involve mumbles, moans, calling out, or whispering, but it is not considered a product of consciousness. The words don’t have real meaning to the sleep talker; the person doesn’t know what he or she is saying.

Anyone can sleep talk, but it can be genetic and it tends to occur more in men and in children. Most children grow out of the habit; only an estimated five percent of adults talk in their sleep. Some factors, including sleep deprivation, alcohol, drugs, fever, stress, anxiety, and depression can all lead to sleep talking. Typically, sleep talking is not considered something that requires treatment, unless a sleep mate is chronically disturbed by it. It may co-exist with other “parasomnias” such as night terrors, sleepwalking, and sleep apnea. While not common, sleep talking that starts after age 25 may be related to other medical issues.

Find out whether you should be concerned.

Sure, maybe your partner finds sleep talking annoying and disruptive to his or her slumber, but from a scientific perspective, the activity is usually considered to be normal.

Sleep talking can come in a variety of forms that range from mumbling or gibberish to full and coherent sentences. Any person can experience sleep talking during the night. It tends to occur more often in men and especially in children. If you don’t know what has led you to start talking in your sleep, one of these reasons could be behind it: genetics, sleep deprivation, consuming alcohol or drugs, fever, stress, depression, etc. Some of these factors can also lead to sleepwalking.

In most cases, sleep talking requires no medical treatment. If it is associated with a more serious disorder, such as sleep apnea, REM sleep behavior disorder, or night terrors, then you may need to treat the disorder. But don’t worry; sleep talking won’t do any physical harm to your body, although it might be slightly embarrassing to have another person witness it.

Consider seeing a sleep specialist if you feel that your sleep talking is getting out of control or hard to deal with (involving intense fear, screaming, or violent actions)—in rare instances, medication can be subscribed to treat the condition. Your doctor may recommend trying to follow a regular sleep schedule, getting the right amount of sleep (typically, seven to nine hours a night), and/or practicing proper sleep hygiene to help reduce or eliminate sleep talking.

 

article source: sleep.org

This blog does not provide medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on Mattressdepotusa.com. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.

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