Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder: Facts and symptoms

Sleep is an integral part of our health. It’s that nightly spell where we recharge so we can take on the next day. Sleep is also important to give our bodies a restart. It helps store memories, events and even reduces stress. Clearly, sleep is important and we should all ensure we’re getting enough of good quality sleep.

But unfortunately there are many sleep disorders which can inhibit our ability to get the proper sleep we require. From insomnia to sleep apnea, sleep disorders can wreck havoc on our health.

One sleep disorder is called rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder. To understand this disorder it’s important to understand the role of REM while we sleep.

What is REM sleep?
REM sleep is a phase our bodies go through while we sleep. Like the name suggests our eyes move rapidly and it is the part of the sleep cycle where dreams occur. During a typical night’s rest we experience REM sleep a quarter of the time.

REM occurs after three phases of N-REM, or non-rapid eye movement sleep. The sleep transitions rotate between sleep, light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep, or dream sleep.

During REM sleep our bodies enter a temporary paralysis. Without this it may cause people to physically act out what they are dreaming.

Read more at http://www.belmarrahealth.com/rapid-eye-movement-sleep-behavior-disorder-facts-and-symptoms/