The Exploding Head Syndrome is a parasomnia that may be relatively common.
Some patients experience them intermittently while for others the episodes may occur more often.
Features:
(1) The patient hears a loud noise or bang in the head when falling asleep or which wakens the patient.
(2) It can occur at any age but most patients are older adults.
(3) The patient may experience a flash of light, transient apnea, tachycardia and/or sweating.
(4) The patient does not experience pain.
(5) There are no sequelae but the patient may be frightened.
(6) The findings are not explained by another disorder.
Some patients may experience this as a migraine aura.
