

Usually, there aren't tests for exploding head syndrome. If you do have sleep problems, a sleep diary could help to chart your sleeping patterns. They'll need to know about any medicines you take and if you have any other health problems. They'll ask:īe sure to tell your doctor about any other sleep problems you have. DiagnosisĪ sleep medicine specialist can help figure out if you have it. People older than 50 are more likely to have it. Women are more likely to have it than men. It could be a result of something else, like:Įxperts don't know how many people have exploding head syndrome. The loud noise you hear may not be exploding head syndrome. Sudden shifts in the parts of the middle ear.Minor seizures in the temporal lobe of the brain.There are different opinions about its cause. Researchers don't know much about exploding head syndrome. You could have a lot of them in a short period, then none for a long time.

You may hear several sounds in one night. Other times, you may also have a flash of light or a muscle twitch at the same time.Įpisodes could come every so often. Sometimes, you might just hear a loud sound. As it's happening, you may think you're in the midst of a stroke. Some people have described it as a gunshot, cymbals crashing, or a lightning strike.Įven though it doesn't hurt, it can cause confusion. It's where you hear a loud noise in the head upon waking up at night or during the wake-sleep transition - and other people don't hear it. It may sound like fireworks, a bomb exploding, or a loud crash. Although its name is very vivid, exploding head syndrome isn't painful.
