Why Do I Jump So Much In My Sleep?

Jumping in sleep is a normal phenomenon that every individual has experienced at least once in their lifetime. This condition is also known as sleep myoclonus. It is a condition which is characterized by involuntary contraction and relaxation of muscles in sleep. During sleep, our body is at rest and our mind is active. These movements are called hypnic jerks. These jerks are often not realized by the affected person. The bed partner notices them. It is a harmless condition that often does not need any medical treatment.

Why Do I Jump So Much In My Sleep?

Why Do I Jump So Much In My Sleep?

Jumping in the bed is an involuntary action of muscles due to their contraction and relaxation mediated by electric shocks passing in the body during sleep. This condition is known as positive myoclonus. Sleep specialists call them a hypnic jerk or sleep start. It is a normal condition and seen in healthy people. It does not harm your health and does not require medical treatment. However, it may be associated with certain medical illness that needs to be treated.

In sleep, you get relaxed and your body gets drifted from physical inactivity to rest while your mind is still active. Then, you may suddenly feel twitching of leg or arm that may give you a sensation of falling out of bed. This happens when you slowly approach to REM stage of the sleep or deeper sleep. You may feel that you are losing your balance and this may make you wake up with a jerk or a jump. Your heart beats may be rapid and when you wake up, you may find yourself in the bed. However, in some cases, your bed partner notices such jerks and you may not wake up suddenly.

Jumping in sleep can be triggered by fatigue, deprived sleep, discomfort, anxiety or stress, stimulated drinks, iron deficiency or other mineral deficiency. It can be caused by following points-

Sleep Starts– it occurs when your mind goes from wakefulness to stage one sleep when you are in light sleep. In this stage, you are slowly progressing to deep sleep. In this stage, your body starts to relax; you may get sudden muscle contractions (also called positive myoclonus). It causes sudden twitching of one or more extremities that may even involve your trunk. Here, you may feel falling out of bed.

Sleep Apnea– this condition is a serious condition that is usually associated with medical illness. It is not seen in healthy people. It comes in episodes, that may interrupt the impulses from brain leading cessation of breathing for about 60 seconds and the brain resends the impulses for breathing to the lungs by confirming awakening again. It can occur several times at night that may result in sleep deprivation. People with sleep apnea have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, heart ailments, stroke, and seizure. Lack of sound sleep may risk them of daytime accidents higher than normal people.

Restless Legs Syndrome– it is a condition characterized by uncontrollable prickling, tingling and crawling sensation in the lower limbs in rest, especially at night. These sensations may cause you to move your legs constantly in sleep. It is caused due to abnormalities in neurotransmitter dopamine. Their main role is to transmit messages to the nerves for their function. This condition is represented by a common symptom known as periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). PMLD is represented by regular episodes of jerking of hips, legs, ankles, feet, and toes when the patient is asleep. This symptom is often noticed by bed partners.

Conclusion

Jumping in bed during sleep is a normal condition and is usually harmless. It appears in the first stage of sleep when you are progressing to deep sleep. It can be caused by excess physical activity, anxiety, stress, stimulated drinks before sleep and sometimes medical illness stated above.

Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:December 23, 2023

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