Ephialtes (illness)
Ephialtes (illness)
Ephialtes (pronounced: eh-FI-al-tees) is a medical condition commonly known as nightmare disorder or sleep terror disorder. The term originates from the Greek word "ἐφιάλτης" (ephialtēs), which translates to "nightmare" in English.
Etymology
The term Ephialtes is derived from the Greek mythology character Ephialtes, a giant who was known for his terrifying presence. In the context of the illness, Ephialtes refers to the intense fear and terror experienced by individuals suffering from this sleep disorder.
Symptoms
Ephialtes is characterized by episodes of abrupt awakening from sleep, usually occurring during the first third of the major sleep episode. Individuals experiencing Ephialtes may scream, have intense fear, and exhibit signs of autonomic arousal, such as tachycardia, rapid breathing, and sweating. They may also experience temporary difficulty in recalling the terrifying dream and returning to sleep.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Ephialtes is typically based on the patient's description of their symptoms and a thorough sleep history. In some cases, a polysomnography may be conducted to rule out other sleep disorders.
Treatment
Treatment for Ephialtes often involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps patients change their thought patterns and behaviors before bedtime. Medications such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants may also be used in some cases.
Related Terms
- Nightmare disorder
- Sleep terror disorder
- Autonomic arousal
- Polysomnography
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Benzodiazepines
- Antidepressants
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ephialtes (illness)
- Wikipedia's article - Ephialtes (illness)
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski