Does a bomb explode inside your head when you wake up from sleep? (Exploding Head Syndrome) Let's talk about this!

Imagine you are fast asleep... Suddenly you hear a deafening noise inside your head. It's like a bomb going off, or a loud gunshot. You wake up with a start, your chest pounding, your body sweating. But when you look around, nothing has happened. Everyone in the house is fast asleep. No one heard this noise. You are the only one who heard this terrifying sound. Was this a dream? What really happened? If this experience sounds familiar to you, you may be experiencing a special condition known as aura.

So what is Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS)?

The name sounds a little scary, doesn't it? But don't worry. Simply put, Exploding Head Syndrome (EHS) is a sleep-related condition. Doctors call it a parasomnia . It's when you hear a loud, exploding sound inside your head, either when you're about to fall asleep or when you're about to wake up.

The important thing is that this sound is not real. That is, there is no real sound in your environment. It is just a sensation created by your brain. That is why other people in the house cannot hear it. Although this is a very scary and disturbing experience, the most important thing to remember is that EHS is not a dangerous condition. It does not cause any harm to your brain or body.

Why is this strange thing happening to us?

There is no single, definitive reason for this yet. Researchers are still studying this. But there are several theories that may contribute to this.

• Sudden changes in electrical activity in the brain: Our brains contain a type of cell that controls our senses (what we feel, see, and hear). These are called sensory neurons. Some believe that these neurons suddenly and unexpectedly fire, causing the noise.
• Inner ear problems: There is also a theory that this condition can be caused by some problem or damage to the inner part of our ear.
• Minor brain seizures: This sound may be caused by tiny, quick seizures that occur in the temporal lobe of our brain.
• Abnormal sleep-wake transition: The brain follows a process when we go to sleep and wake up. If this process (abnormal sleep-wake transition) doesn't happen properly, the brain may wake you up by mistake.
• Link to migraine: Some people experience auras before a migraine headache. There is also a theory that EHS may be a similar aura.
• Side effects of stopping medication:This condition can also occur as a side effect of some medications used to treat conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or benzodiazepines , if stopped suddenly without the advice of a doctor.

What are the symptoms of someone with EHS?

The main symptom of this condition is that loud noise we talked about earlier. But not only that, there are several other symptoms that can accompany it. Let's see these clearly in a table.

No matter how real this sound may sound, it will not harm your ears. It will not cause any physical pain. However, the fear you feel at that moment can be very intense.

How often does this situation occur?

It varies from person to person. For some people, this can happen several times in one night. For others, it can happen several days in a row. But for some, this experience only happens once every few weeks or months.

You can get a notebook and write down the days you experience this, what your day was like on those days, whether you felt tired or stressed, etc. Then you can understand for yourself if there is a pattern that affects this.

How do you know for sure that this is EHS?

If you have these symptoms, the best thing to do is to see your doctor. He or she will ask you about your symptoms.

• What symptoms are you experiencing?
• How long has this been going on?
• How often does it occur?
• Have you been feeling stressed or anxious lately?
• Have you had sleep problems before?

Tell your doctor everything clearly and without hiding anything. Sometimes you may be referred to a sleep specialist (Somnologist).

Diagnostic tests

The doctor may perform several tests to see if there are other conditions that cause similar symptoms.

• A sleep study (Polysomnography): This involves you spending a night in the hospital. While you sleep, machines monitor your brain waves, heart rate, and breathing.
• EEG (Electroencephalogram): This tests the electrical activity of the brain. This helps detect conditions such as seizures.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan: This examines the structure of the brain and makes sure there are no other problems.

Is there a treatment for this?

There is no specific treatment for EHS, but your doctor can help you manage the anxiety, stress, and insomnia that come with it.

In some cases, medications used to treat other sleep disorders may also be recommended. For example, medications such as Topiramate, Nifedipine, Amitriptyline, and Clomipramine.

Are there ways to prevent EHS?

Since the exact cause is unknown, it's hard to say how to completely prevent it from happening. But there are a few things you can do to reduce the chance of symptoms recurring.

• Establish good sleep habits: Go to bed at the same time every day and wake up at the same time. Stop using your phone, tablet, or TV at least an hour before bed. Make your bedroom dark and quiet.
• Practice calming techniques: Meditate before bed, do yoga, or do slow breathing exercises. These things can help you calm your mind and get a good night's sleep.
• Manage other medical conditions: If you have other medical conditions that affect your sleep, get them properly treated and managed well.
• Take care of your mental health: If you are feeling stressed or anxious, talk to a mental health professional about it.

The name EHS is scary, and there's nothing more shocking than hearing an explosion inside your head in the middle of the night. As terrifying as it can be, you'll feel some relief when you realize that EHS is a painless condition that doesn't harm your brain or body.