REM sleep behavior disorder, sometimes referred to as RBD, might be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study from Aarhus University.
The team from the university and the attached teaching hospital based out of Denmark recently published a study indicating that RBD might be a warning sign that the individual in question has Parkinson’s. Rather than being a unique sleep disorder, there’s a chance that this could be an early symptom of the neurodegenerative disease.
REM sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep, occurs when the brain is resting. This is the stage of sleep where dreams occur. When someone has REM sleep behavior disorder, they experience disruptions in rest because of elements of dreams being enacted in real life. For example, someone with this disorder may be running in their dream, while moving their legs quickly in their bed. Or, if they dream about being in a fight, they might find themselves swinging their fists in real life. At times, extreme versions of this disorder can lead to someone falling out of bed, hitting their partner, or something else. Luckily, this disorder is pretty rare. At any given time, less than 0.5 percent of the population suffers from this.
REM sleep behavior disorder might be rare, but it has the potential to help us better understand other diseases, like Parkinson’s disease. Like many other illnesses that seniors face, the earlier things are detected, the better the steps will be that can help the individual live a healthier and longer life. Good care is all about meeting the person where they need help and improving the quality of life that they experience as a result.
There are a few things that you can do with this information. First, if you are unsure if you have sleep issues, related to REM sleep or otherwise, it’s important to work with a doctor. They may recommend visiting a sleep clinic or having a sleep study done. If there is any sort of issue related to Parkinson’s or something else, this course of action may be able to find the root cause so that you or your loved one can have more effective treatment moving forward. Each case is unique, so illuminating the details of your situation will help doctors to establish a more precise–and helpful–course of action.
Next, remember that many things about our health are unique, so your care should be designed to meet those needs as efficiently and effectively as possible. This is where finding the right care service can be so helpful. Finding a caregiver that is able to customize the help that they provide so that your loved one’s needs are being met correctly is important. Again, the right resources will be different depending on the needs present. What’s right ofr one isn’t necessarily going to be right for another.
We can help you get started. There are a lot of ins and outs of senior care, so finding a professional that knows how to navigate these things is important. We’d love to help you regardless of where you are in your journey. Give us a call to learn more about how Paradise In-Home Care can help get you pointed in the right direction.
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