Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter

#145 - Hypnic Myoclonus: Jerk Your Body

Chris Winter, MD

We have all experienced it...you're sitting in bed, nodding off, and suddenly you awaken with a start feeling like you are about to fall down stairs. Hypnic myoclonus is estimated to affect as many as 60-70% of individuals, but what is it? In this episode we will:

  • Define hypnic myoclonus, often referred to as "sleep starts" or "hypnagogic jerks"
  • Review the symptoms of the phenomenon
  • Speculate of the evolutionary cause
  • Characterize individuals at the highest risk
  • List the causes of hypnic myoclonus
  • Discuss diagnostic and treatment options

Produced by: Maeve Winter

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Thanks for listening and sleep well!

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