Your Sleep Questions Answered: Part 2

Answer:

What you're describing may be a common problem experienced by almost everyone at some time in their lives- hypnic jerks AKA sleep starts.  Most often these events are not very bothersome or excessive.  The patient usually describes a sensation of sudden brief jerks at sleep onset, mainly affecting the legs or arms associated with a subjective feeling of falling, a sensory flash, or dream.  Alternatively, these may be related to restless leg syndrome or much lees likely a sort-of seizure, called myoclonus.  Go over the symptoms in detail with your doctor to ensure that this is not anything too serious.

I have a few more questions to answer in my next 1-2 blogs.  Some of the topics touched upon above have been discussed in the past and may be expanded upon in the future, so please keep on checking the blog and keep these great questions coming.