SLEEP PARALYSIS

Have you ever had the experience of waking up in the night, or possibly dreaming that you are awake, and being paralyzed, unable to move or speak? Unfortunately, the dream may also involve the thought that the house is on fire, or that you are going to suffocate. Some people seem to think there is an animal on their chest. This is called sleep paralysis. Some researchers say that it is an experience of awakening in the middle of dreaming. At that point in sleep, the muscles of the body are basically paralyzed. I began having this experience occasionally after I was married and taking the birth control pill. I had no idea what was causing it, and I did not relate it to the pill. My husband commented that I must be terribly frustated about something. Over the years it has occurred periodically. Eventually I realized that it was related to my problem with being unable to retain electrolytes. The birth control pill apparently affected my electrolyte levels. Since then, I have come to better understand the problem. It can be caused by low sodium. It is more likely to be caused by low potassium. Either deficiency will precipitate an attack. Very few Americans are low in sodium, because we have so much salt in all of our processed foods. But I don't eat a lot of processed foods or fast foods. So I do not have an excessive salt intake. Excessive heat and perspiration can cause an attack which occurs later when one goes to sleep. Sugar and alcohol drain potassium from the system, but I don't drink alcohol at all. I watch my sugar intake carefully. Now that I know the cause of the problem, I no longer experience it. I am careful to keep my sodium and potassium levels balanced.