REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is the most common REM sleep parasomnia treated at Riverside’s Sleep Disorder Institute. Individuals with this disorder tend to act out their dreams which can result in repeated injury such as bruises, lacerations and fractures, to themselves or others. Patients may take self-protection measures by tethering themselves to bed, using pillow barricades or sleeping in an empty room on a mattress. Demographically, 90 percent of RBD patients are males, and most are older than 50 years of age.
Typical clinical features of the disorder are:
- Male gender predilection
- Mean age of onset 50–65 years (range 20–80 years)
- Vocalization, screaming, swearing that may be associated with dreams
- Motor activity, simple or complex, that may result in injury to patient or bed-partner
- Occurrence usually in latter half of sleep period (REM sleep)
- May be associated with neurodegenerative disease
RBD is treatable at the Sleep Disorder Institute of Riverside Medical Center. Various medications are prescribed for RBD based on varying symptoms. Melatonin is also effective and can also be prescribed as a more natural alternative.
The treatment for RBD is very specific to each patient experiencing this disorder. Contact the Sleep Disorder Institute of Riverside Medical Center to create a treatment plan that is right for you.
Sleep Disorder Institute of Riverside Medical Center400 Riverside Drive, Suite 1500 (MAP)
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Phone: 815-933-2784
Fax: 815-939-9413
Accredited Member Center of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
