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What Is Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS)?
Although its name is very vivid, exploding head syndrome isn't painful.
It's where you imagine a loud noise right before you fall asleep or wake up. It may sound like fireworks, a bomb exploding, or a loud crash. Some people have described it as a gunshot, cymbals crashing, or a lightning strike.
Even though it doesn't hurt, it can cause confusion. As it's happening, you may think you're in the midst of a heart attack or stroke.
Sometimes, you might just imagine the loud sound. Other times, you may also have a flash of light or a muscle twitch at the same time.
Episodes could come every so often. You may hear several sounds in one night. You could have a lot of them in a short period, then none for a long time.
Causes
Researchers don't know much about exploding head syndrome. There are different opinions about its cause. Some scientists think it could be:
- Minor seizures in the temporal lobe of the brain
- Sudden shifts in the parts of the middle ear
- Stress or anxiety
- Some other sleep disorder
- A side effect of a medicine you take
- A medical or mental healthcondition
- Drug or alcohol abuse
We don't know how many people have exploding head syndrome. We do know that women are more likely to have it than men.
People older than 50 are more likely to have it. Kids as young as 10 get it, too.
Diagnosis
A sleep medicine specialist can help figure out if you have it. They'll ask:
- When the sounds started
- How often they happen
- How long they last
If you do have sleep problems, a sleep diary could help to chart your sleeping patterns.
Usually, there aren't tests for exploding head syndrome. But your doctor may want you to do an overnight sleep study if you have sleep problems. It tracks your heartbeat, breathing, and brainwaves while you sleep. It also records how your body moves. The study can help discover if the sounds you hear are due to another sleep disorder.
Treatment
Clomipramine, an antidepressant, is a common treatment for exploding head syndrome.
Calcium channel blockers may also help. See your doctor if you think you need medicine for it.
You can do some things that may help. For example, if you tend to have more episodes when you're stressed, you can find ways to ease your anxiety. Try:
If they seem to happen when you don't get enough sleep, try to get between 6 and 8 hours of sleep each night.
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