{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Understanding REM Sleep Disorder in Parkinson's","description":" Sleep problems\u202faffect more than 75% people with Parkinson\u2019s disease (PD) and can have a\u202fsignificant impact on\u202fday to day\u202flife.\u202fCommon challenges include difficulty falling or staying asleep, excessive sleepiness during the day,\u202fand\u202facting out dreams while asleep. This episode\u202ffocuses\u202fon REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep Behavior Disorder, or\u202fRBD, a condition in which people\u202fmay verbally and\/or physically act\u202fout their dreams.\u202fThese instances\u202fcan\u202fincrease the risk of injury for\u202fboth the person with Parkinson\u2019s and their bed partner, making awareness and symptom management especially important. We invited\u202fDr.\u202fAleksandar Videnovic, Chief of the Division of Sleep Neurology at Massachusetts General Brigham,\u202falong with\u202fCaron Gan and John Poma,\u202fmembers of the\u202fNAPS Consortium\u202fon REM Sleep Behavior Disorders, to share insights on what RBD is, why it happens, and strategies for managing symptoms. Key Takeaways:  Growing research shows that RBD can precede a Parkinson\u2019s diagnosis by several years.   RBD symptoms can change over time and may include physically and\/or verbally acting out dreams.   Sleep disturbances and fragmented sleep can contribute to fatigue and may worsen other PD symptoms.   Practical Strategies:  Remove objects near the bed that may cause injury.  Lower the bed or mattress to reduce the risk of falls.  Create a consistent sleep schedule.  Keep a sleep diary to track symptoms and patterns.  Find an \u201cRBD buddy\u201d to share stories and tips.  Follow and rate us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when there's a new episode! Let us know what other topics you would like us to cover by visiting parkinson.org\/feedback.  ","author_name":"Substantial Matters: Life & Science of Parkinson\u2019s","author_url":"http:\/\/parkinson.org\/podcast","html":"