$Unique_ID{BRK01219}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases}
$Title{Muscle Jerks at Night}
$Subject{sleep muscle jerks reflexes}
$Volume{N-18}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Muscle Jerks at Night


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QUESTION:  My husband has an annoying problem, especially for me.  After we
are asleep in bed at night, he will suddenly give a jerk, that practically
throws him in the air and of course, wakes me up.  He tells me that he is not
doing this on purpose, but I don't know why this should happen at all.  Do you
have any explanations for these disturbing movements?

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ANSWER:  This type of jerking activity of the muscles of the body is quite
common.  It occurs when there is simultaneous contraction of all the muscles
in the body causing your husband to jump and wake up.  Physicians used to
believe that this was provoked by a primitive reflex that has remained with us
from the days of our ancient, tree dwelling ancestors.  The theory believes
that the reflex prevented an individual from falling out of the trees once he
had gone to sleep.  More recent, and perhaps more scientifically acceptable
explanations stem from newly gained knowledge about sleep.  It is now know
that we pass through different stages of sleep during our rest.  There are
four such stages.  The first is the lightest with each successive stage being
a deeper sleep.  Sometimes as our body goes from stage three to stage four
sleep there is a sudden surge of electrical activity from our brain which
stimulates all the muscles and makes them contract sharply.  This will them
cause the jerking sensation that your husband experiences.  Not everyone has
this experience and, of course, it probably isn't occurring each night, for
which I am sure, you are thankful.  The most important thing to remember is
that this is not an abnormal situation, and despite its sleep breaking effect
is truly nothing to be concerned about.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
