Many sleep disorders can affect the partner of the person suffering from the disorder, but this is often not as pronounced as in the case of those suffering from REM Sleep Behavior Disorder. If you or someone you know has a tendency to kick in bed, they may be a sufferer of REM sleep behavior disorder. While in many cases, such as when you see a dog twitching its legs as it sleeps, or if you know someone that occasionally talks in their sleep, the effects of REM sleep behavior disorder are minor, but should the symptoms become more pronounced, then there is a problem.
The Cause
REM sleep behavior disorder is a case where the problem results from being able to move when the body shouldn't. During REM sleep, the body in general is supposed to go through a sort of paralysis that inhibits motions. This paralysis acts as a sort of defense from a person acting out his or her dreams and causing injury.
The problem when someone is suffering from REM sleep behavior disorder is that this paralysis doesn't occur, allowing for a range of movement that can be as simple as a little twitching to punching, kicking, even jumping out of bed. When these motions develop to the point that they're violent, this disorder becomes a true problem.
Recovering
Until you can receive treatment for REM sleep behavior disorder, you will need to take steps to ease the danger of your symptoms. Remove anything dangerous from the immediate area of your bed, including lamps, your nightstand, and anything that can potentially be hit while flailing around. By doing so, you will minimize the bruising and fractures that can occur in those suffering from REM sleep behavior disorder.
Make sure to clear the floor as well, in case you roll from the bed or fall down, and if you can, place some cushions on the floor. Unfortunately, until you receive treatment, it's best to ask your bedmate to sleep somewhere else, or for you to sleep elsewhere instead, so that injury to them is minimized.
The good news is that there is a drug that's been shown in studies to relieve the symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder, called clonazepam, which seems to work by forcing the muscles to relax while asleep. Even with years of treatment, it seems that this drug remains effective, which only slight movements reemerging after a while. The bad news is that REM sleep behavior disorder can be a sign that you may be suffering from other afflictions, such as Parkinson's disease or dementia, so be sure to discuss options for testing for related disorder with your doctor. Remember, if you are suffering from any sleep related problems, be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible, and do your best to keep good sleep health.