Sopor. Is this a terrible disease or a mystical phenomenon? Scientists around the world still can not unequivocally answer this question. The causes of lethargic sleep remain a mystery not for one generation of those people who from time to time become its victims.
It is known for certain that a lethargic dream appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. The world has begun its epidemic. The state of lethargy was terrifying, since it was often mistaken for natural death and people were buried alive. They even began to write stories about this, and in some countries tombs were built in cemeteries, which were called temporary, that is, the supposedly dead still had a chance of salvation.
What is lethargic sleep? It comes from the Greek "oblivion" and "inaction." This term refers to a painful condition that resembles a dream and is characterized by a lack of response to external stimuli, immobility and a decrease in the intensity of various signs of life that are visible externally. The impetus for its appearance may be hysteria, severe excitement or general exhaustion. The attack occurs suddenly and can last up to several tens of days, months and even years. Moreover, in the process of lethargic sleep, consciousness is preserved , which means that the patient remembers and perceives events, but cannot respond to them.
The most common myth about this condition, which came to us from the origins of its appearance, is that it can be confused with death and bury a person alive. Fortunately, modern medicine has dispelled this myth and it has already been proven that even the most severe cases are not like death. Lethargy is similar to an ordinary very deep sleep, when a person falling into this state ceases to respond to touch, hails and other external influences. Specialists can easily note the even breathing of the sleeping person, twitching of the eyelids and other signs that the person is alive. The pulse is also usually felt, except sometimes it is too weak and slow. The skin remains the usual color. Even in those cases when it becomes pale and colder, and breathing becomes superficial, it is not so difficult for a doctor to understand that a person is in a state of lethargy. This is usually determined using an electrocardiogram or an electroencephalogram. Now doctors can monitor a person’s condition in lethargy, monitor his breathing, provide nutrition, protect against infections or inflammations.
Despite the fact that lethargic sleep is still a mysterious and unpredictable phenomenon, modern science already has a certain opinion on this subject. Usually this condition occurs due to a strong emotional shock. Psychiatrists believe that in this way, a person is simply trying to get away from complex and insoluble life problems. It is scientifically proven that at risk are mostly women, and young people. Perhaps this is due to the fact that they are considered more emotional than men.
A lethargic dream has its harbingers: fatigue, lethargy, and headaches. However, this does not mean at all that when such symptoms occur, you need to think that you are falling into lethargy. In principle, this condition is not like an ordinary dream. But when you are plunged into lethargy, then really, just sleep for a while. Awakening after a lethargic sleep occurs as instantly, unexpectedly, and suddenly as immersion in it.
By the way, lethargic sleep still causes fear in many people. Still, because the body continues to function, albeit in slow motion. Who wants to oversleep part of his life? Do not be afraid of lethargic sleep; the chance that you will fall into such a state is negligible.