How to Treat REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a condition that occurs during the REM phase of sleep. Normally during this phase, the sleeper has rapid eye movements, higher blood pressure and loss of muscle movement. With RBD, movement remains and causes the person to act out their dreams. Since this can lead to injury, you should get treatment for RBD.

Instructions

1. Move anything that can be dangerous that is close by the bed. Since RBD causes violent outbursts, you do not want to have a lamp or heavy object at arm's reach.

2. Sleep alone. While you are symptomatic, it may not be safe for anyone to sleep in the same bed as you.

3. Prevent falls by sleeping on the floor or first level of the house. If the RBD jumps out of bed suddenly, they can become injured if stairs are nearby or they fall off of the bed.

4. Inquire about a prescription from your doctor. There are medications available that are known to reduce the symptoms of RBD. The most commonly used drug is Klonopin.

5. Increase your dosage. The doctor is likely to start you on a low dose of Klonopin and gradually increase it. You are likely going to need a follow up visit for the doctor to make sure your symptoms have decreased in severity.

Tips & Warnings

• Since RBD has been linked to Parkinson's disease, you are likely going to have to follow up with the neurologist as well.

• RBD is an incurable condition. If you stop taking the prescribed medication, it is likely that your symptoms will return.