Why does anyone get night terrors?

 There are many reasons why a person would have a dream so intense that they would wake up screaming, not only waking up and screaming, some individual have actually jumped out of bed and ran through their house screaming till they woke up exhausted but still terrorized.

 The root causes of night terror are:

1. Emotional stress that you may be going through at the time can set off night terrors.
2. Alcohol and certain medications can also be a factor.
3. If you haven’t sleep in a long time (sleep deprivation) your mind may play tricks on you.
4. Migraine headaches have been known to cause night terrors.
5. Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders should also be considered as a source of night terror.

 In a number of people who have night terror, they also have had problems with anxiety and depression issues.

 Who usually gets night terror?

Children more than anyone have night terrors; boys and girls get them in equal number. It is not as prevalent with adults’ especially senior citizens. Sleepwalking usually accompanies night terror.

 Treatment is limited with children having night terror. Usually the parent will keep an eye on the child so they don’t get hurt. In most cases night terror goes away. With adults the doctor may suggest a sleep study to ensure there isn’t a more serious problem.

Sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea and insomnia are common factors in causing sleep deprivation.

 Lack of sleep can cause high blood pressure as well as a rise in cholesterol.  Sleep apnea patients are the most at danger when it comes to heart disease.

 The inability to metabolize glucose brought on by sleep deprivation can lead to Type 2 Diabetes.

 In areas of the brain lack of sleep can lead to the decline of memory and certain learning skills. In some parts of the brain, such as the prefrontal lobe, there is more activity due to overcompensation.

  Hypothalamic neurons produce neurotransmitters called GABA, which stop neurons from firing which have serotonin, histamine, norepinephrine, glutamate and hypocretin in them. This action promotes sleep. So if REM is never achieved as it is with sleep apnea patients this never occurs.