Bangungot or sudden unexpected death is a condition observed by people living in Eastern Asian countries. Bangungot is a term which means “bad dream” or “nightmare” is originated from the Philipines. It is a silent killer that mostly affects men.
Although this condition has claimed many lives in East Asia, it is still rather uncommon among the western countries. In Eastern Asia as well as South East Asia, cases are more common among people who are in their adolescence and adulthood.
Despite the deadly condition, these people still do not know how it occurs. Some believes that sleeping right after eating rice causes the sudden death, and this is one reason widely believed among the people living in the Philippines.
What Causes Bangungot
Latest scientific studies have shown that bangungot condition is in fact linked to Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis, the sudden inflammation of the pancreas. Researchers have found that there is no structural heart problem or what so ever in victims of the condition.
However, there are symptoms of irregular heart rhythms found to be causing the victim to lose consciousness while sleeping. It is more of a genetic problem which may run in families. Therefore, it would be wise for someone who have family history of bangungot to see heart specialist to rule of any underlying issues before it is too late. Even if someone has a case history of the problem among the family members, there are certain things that one can do to help reduce the risk of getting one.
Bangungot Prevention
Several medical specialists from Japan, China as well as other Asian countries have indicated that eating noodles before sleeping is one of the most common causes of this problem. It isn’t the noodle that kills the victim, but the dehydration caused as a result of eating noodles.
By eating these foods (and also alcoholic beverages) could create an electrolyte imbalance in the body thereby causing the body to lose water and dehydrates. Hence, it would be advisable to avoid eating noodles right before going to sleep. Take at least two hours for the body to digest the noodles before bedtime. In addition to that, studies have also found that going thirsty when going to bed is also a bad idea.
It can also trigger bangungot when your body dehydrates during the 8 hour sleep. So, better forget about the frequent bathroom trips as a result of drinking too much water before hitting the sack. Drink at least one or two tall glass of water before bed is advisable.
i experienced this kind of nightmare i was thinking of a movie when somthing happend it became all black and white replaying it in the short part im watching in this nightmare i cant move its like killing me in the palawan im only capable on moving my hands im so scared i almost died my lola said this bangungot she got when she ate lots of food then went to sleep she cant move she did this last blink when she saw mama mary in our house she said her heart is moving again she said it was a miracle if mama mary weren’t there i wont be seeing her today
i just experiend this bangungot thing. The only thing i remember is i ate 2 instant noodles and i didnt drink water that much so at past 12am i just experienced that Bangunot and i was so f. scared and it happened again the second time i felt asleep so i didnt sleep for a day. my nightmare dream was theres someone whos holding my left arm and that thing didnt let go of me so i started to scream then my mom waked me up.
Hi 🙂 These past few months i’ve been having nightmares, i dont really remember the actual dream but i know it’s a nightmare. I find it difficult to move when i’m experiencing it, at first i thought it was because i often eat before going to bed. So i tried having dinner 2-3 hrs before sleeping. But i keep having nightmares and when i pray (in my head) parts of my body, specially my hands and feet, go numb (namamanhid sila) and sometimes i find it really difficult to breath. Then these past two days, i’ve been experiencing a nightmare within a nightmare. Like i wake up (i thought i was awake) but i realize i’m still in a dream so force myself to wake up, that’s were the pangmamanhid sometimes occur. Please if you know how i can solve this problem, please let me know by replying here. It’s really scaring me. Thanks in advance 🙂
It happened to me once. My mother always moan in her sleep like begging someone to wake her up. But it stopped now. And then when I was sleeping… Something happened. My body was paralyzed and my vision was blurred. Once my vision cleared. I saw a shadow in front/beside me and I was startled and realized I’m having this ‘bangungot’. So I tried to move my toes and head so I wake myself up like my mother always say when she’s having this weird nightmares. After being able to move my head, toes, and regain my consciousness my body was sweating so much and goosebumps all over my body. Tho I forgot what I did or eat before that. Its f.. scary and I dont want to experience it again.
At least i have an excuse to wear diapers to bed now?
i had have this type of thing but i haddnt had noddles or rice.it was the feeling of want to talk, but couldn’t, wantin to get up and dint move.
i guess my body is immune already of bangungot, but was curious why is it.
I also experiencing bangungot these past few days, I do eat lot of rice before sleeping and only drink less of water, when I go to sleep I experienced this kind of condition. It so hard for me to sleep because I don’t have a company in my room that will wake me up when I experienced this.
I’ve recently been experiencing bangungot and I’m seriously freaking out, I just woke up from one, and I’m afraid to go to sleep, is there some type of doctor I can talk to?
is this true?
I mean, i eat a lot of noodles ( idk is instant noodles count such as Lucky me Pancit canton, brand from the Philippines ) before going to bed, but i dont experience such things.
just make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.