Mind Blowing ... Exploding Head Syndrome

Despite the over-the-top name, your head doesn't really explode. The name does fit what goes on inside the dome of the rare person who does have this odd condition. I know from first hand experience what Exploding Head Syndrome feels like. My bouts were even stranger, because my brain ka-BOOMs happened in my teen years, and most of the time while I was awake.Just going about my day. As quickly and as unexplainable as these instances occurred... They stopped in my twenties.

I never thought much about the loud KA-BAMMs I felt, but I never forgot the feeling. I didn't even know it had a name, or that it was considered a "condition." I just thought it was just "one of those things." Until one day, I was listening to late night talk radio and the topic was Exploding Brain Syndrome.

Exploding Head Syndrome has been described as a very loud sound. Like that of an explosion, almost bomb-like. Some experience loud ringing, screams or shouts, and even buzzing-like sounds... just to name a few sounds that people have experienced. None the less the extremely loud sound is really shocking, but oddly enough, usually there is no pain, swelling or any other physical trait associated along with the mind explosion. Some people often complain of flashes of light during an attack.

Often the person who has this condition does feel a sense of fear and anxiety after an attack, and even an elevated heart rate, or even difficulty in breathing. But the same is true with any kind of sudden trauma such as vomiting, and many other illnesses. Although it is sometimes distressing to experience, its not thought as harmful to one's self.

Exploding head syndrome is rare and there is not much documentation regarding the subject. It most often occurs just before deep sleep, and sometimes upon coming out of a deep sleep. Attacks may increase or decrease and can disappear for long periods of time or entirely, without any reasoning. On average people over the age of 50 are most likely to experience Exploding Head Syndrome, and women are at a higher rate of experiencing Exploding Head Syndrome than men. EHS has been reported in people as young as 10 years old.

Exploding Head Syndrome is believed to be connected with stress and extreme fatigue. Though still what actually causes the mind blowing effect in individuals is still unknown... It is speculated that possible explanations are minor seizures affecting the temporal lobe, sudden shifts in middle ear, the Eustachian tube may suddenly move, or even an extreme case of tinnitus .

Even though, Exploding Head Syndrome is not considered dangerous, and does not seem to have an effect on sleeping, many people who do have the condition do seek help for their symptoms from a doctor. One medication that has been used to treat Exploding Head Syndrome is clomipramine, which is an antidepressant.

Since many believe that stress is causing the brain bomb, maybe a more natural or holistic approach may help? Some suggestions that could stop your dome from errupting, and could greatly improve your well-being anyway... Exploding Head or not. Many suggest these buffers to lower stress levels like reading, taking walks, yoga, relaxing music or a hot bath before bed (of course let's not discount the power of sex as a stress reliever.) These steps have not only demonstrated to be a positive effect in quality sleep, but in quality living in general.