Choose Location

We provide care in three easily-accessible locations across the Rio Grande Valley.

Weslaco

1604 East 8th St., Suite A
Weslaco, TX
Phone: (956) 447-5557

McAllen

5300 North McColl Rd., Suite 100
McAllen, TX
Phone: (956) 630-1000

Mission

1022 E. Griffin Pkwy.
Mission, TX 78572
Phone: (956) 833-6000

Sleep

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are undesirable behaviors or experiences that occur during entry into sleep, within sleep, or during arousal from sleep. Parasomnias may occur at any point during a person’s sleep cycle. Most consist of one or more of the following behaviors: sleepwalking, sleep terrors, nightmares, eating during sleep, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RSBD), and bedwetting during sleep. A host of medical disorders and medications can cause or worsen parasomnias.

Sleepwalking and sleep terrors occur more often in children. RSBD most frequently occurs in older men but can occur in younger individuals, including women. Sleepwalking sounds funny, but it’s not. The sleepwalker might start off in the kitchen and then move outside to the street. In RSBD, the afflicted individual acts out the content of his/her dreams. For example, if the individual is having a dream in which he is engaged in aggressive or violent behaviors, he/she will perform the associated activities, including associated vocalizations, during sleep.

The initial appearance of RSBD symptoms is often followed years later by the development of degenerative neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease. Thus, many parasomnias can be dangerous to the individual, the bed partner, and anyone else close by, and RBD additionally can warn of the possibility of the later development of neurodegenerative disorders.

How Do You Know if You Have Parasomnias?

The Pulmonary and Sleep Center of the Valley can help. With two modern sleep labs in the Rio Grande Valley, we’ll be able to record your sleep and sleep-associated behaviors in a safe and controlled setting. With a proper diagnosis, you’ll receive effective treatment and have a safer and healthier life.

Parasomnias Treatment

If you are diagnosed with parasomnias, there are methods you can use to manage them. For example, sleep hygiene and a regular sleep/wake cycle can minimize parasomnia episodes. In addition, you may be asked to take certain medications and implement certain safety protocols (e.g. Padding furniture and installing alarms) in order to keep yourself safe during parasomnia episodes. Our sleep specialists can help you implement the right treatment in order to mitigate your disorder.

Resources

You may find additional helpful health information at one of these websites: