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hypnic jerk; hypnagogic jerk; sleep start; sleep twitch; night start
Etiology:
- anxiety,
- caffeine
- stress
- strenuous activities in the evening
- irregular sleep schedules
- idiopathic (most common)
Clinical manifestations:
- involuntary twitch which occurs just as a person is beginning to fall asleep
- often causing subject to awaken suddenly for a moment
- movement resembles startle response
- may be associated with a feeling of falling
- tachycardia
- tachypnea
- sweating
Differential diagnosis:
- epileptic myoclonus
- periodic limb movement disorder
Management:
- sleep hygiene
General
sleep disorder
movement disorder
References
- Wikipedia: Hypnic jerk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnic_jerk