The Doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

What causes sleep paralysis?

Sleep paralysis can be distressing but most people experience it very occasionally. It is when someone is unable to move or speak when they’re waking up or falling asleep. Sometimes people experience a sensation of something pushing them down, but it only lasts a few minutes and then passes.

Sleep paralysis seems to occur when the brain remains active while you’re in sleep mode, so your muscles are paralysed. Sometimes there’s a family history of it and it’s more likely in people who having trouble sleeping or have disrupted sleep, for example if they work shifts. If it happens regularly, stress, anxiety or posttraumatic stress may be the cause.

Good sleep hygiene can be helpful, such as getting a regular amount of sleep, and going to bed at the same time each day if possible. Try doing plenty of exercise, but not just before going to bed, and avoid consuming too much alcohol, caffeine, big meals, or smoking close to bedtime.

Occasionally, you might need other treatments like antidepressants or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) if it’s due to stress or depression.

What can you tell me about Long QT syndrome?

Long QT syndrome is an inherited cardiac disorder that affects the rhythm of your heart and can cause a rapid, abnormal heartbeat. Symptoms include heart palpitations and blackouts, fainting or seizures because the heart isn’t pumping blood normally. These can be triggered by strenuous exercise, stress, sudden noise or a slow heartbeat while sleeping.

It is one of the main causes of sudden cardiac death in young people.

Long QT syndrome is often diagnosed by an ECG, which records your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity. If the QT section of an ECG, the electrical activity between the Q and T parts of the wave, is longer than usual, it can increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythm.

Certain medications can prolong your QT interval, as can low potassium levels, which might happen following dehydration. Long QT syndrome patients will always need to check what medications are not suitable for them. In some cases, beta-blockers are used to control the irregular heartbeat.