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What says the health of a person who drools when sleeping

What says the health of a person who drools when sleeping

Top Doctors
Top Doctors editorial
Top Doctors
Created by: Top Doctors editorial
Edited by: TOP DOCTORS® at 04/06/2021

Surely it has happened to you that when you sleep and wake up you realize that you drool or have been with someone who drools when sleeping, but what does this say about your health?


It is common for people to be ashamed to know that they drool at night, but beware, there is nothing to worry about, because specialists say that this is a good sign.


Why do people drool?

To understand why we drool when we sleep, we must delve a bit about the stages of sleep:


1- Phase I is the transition between wakefulness and sleep, here we are still aware of what is happening around us and, therefore, we are able to react to any stimulus. Here we usually experience Sleep Myoclonus (feeling that we are falling over). This stage represents 5% of total sleep


2- In phase II we are still in a light sleep but a little more disconnected from the environment. This phase accounts for 50% of total sleep


3- In phases II and IV we find ourselves in a deep and longer sleep. During these phases we are completely disconnected from what happens around us, therefore, it is where Parasomnias, Sleepwalking, Sleepwalking or Night Terrors manifest.


4- Phase V also known as REM (Rapid Eye Movement) is when we reach the deepest sleep. When we are in the REM phase, the body disconnects from brain functions, including swallowing (swallowing saliva), and that is why we drool


The above means that if we drool it is because we have a good quality of sleep, which has too many benefits for our health such as reducing depression, protecting the heart, improving memory, losing weight and strengthening the immune system, among others.


The only bad thing about drooling

In some cases, drooling can be related to Sleep Apnea, which is when there are pauses in our breathing, and sometimes it is not serious, but there are people who can suffer from cardiac arrest.


This Disorder is diagnosed with a Pulmonologist, who will perform a Polysomnography, which may measure bodily functions while we sleep.


What if I don't drool?

Experts have said that if you have never drool you should be concerned about the quality of your sleep. Ideally, contact a Specialist to find out what is happening or review your bedtime habits.


Some bad habits are: being on the cell phone when going to bed, eating or doing physical exercise at least two hours before sleeping, having bad temperature and lighting in the room, having consumed caffeine or energy drinks.


Sleep Disorders are also a complication to achieve deep sleep, among the most common are: Insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome, Hypersomnia and Circadian Rhythm Disorders.


If you suffer from a Sleep Disorder, contact a Specialist, to be able to know more about the subject and start a treatment. Remember that not sleeping well leads to mental and physical problems. At Top Doctors we have experts who can help you, currently, thanks to the Telemedicine system (e-Consultation) you can have an appointment by private chat or Video consultation.

Neurology