exploding head syndrome

A condition in which a person experiences a tremendously loud noise often with flashes of light, unaccompanied by pain, which seems to originate from inside the head, likened to an explosion, roar, crashing waves, loud screams or a ringing noise, most often occurring within an hour or two of falling asleep, unrelated to dreams, as it can occur while awake. Several attacks may occur over days to weeks followed by months of remission. Sufferers often feel a sense of fear and anxiety post attack, accompanied by tachycardia, dyspnea, hearing loss, tinnitus, heart palpitations. They are more common when the patient is under stress or exhausted
Management Clomipramine may be used, but the condition usually resolves spontaneously

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exploding head syndrome

A rare sleep disturbance in which people awaken just as they are falling asleep because they hear a loud bang or clang, which may cause anxiety and contribute to insomnia. The sound is not accompanied by headache.

Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners