Sudden Unexpected Death Syndrome (called bangungot in the Philippines, lai tai in Thailand, and hukuri in Japan) is sudden unexpected death of adolescents and adults during sleep. Sleep is a Natural state of bodily rest observed throughout the animal kingdom Bangungot is rarely observed in the Western world, and appears to occur more commonly among young men in East and Southeast Asian countries. The term originated from the Tagalog word meaning "bad dream. Tagalog is one of the major languages used in the Philippines. " The root of this word comes from two Tagalog words bangon, which means to rise or to be awake and ungul which means to moan. While experiencing this, the person is aware that he is dreaming but feels like there is something that stops him from moving and awaking.
SUDS has been cloaked in superstition. In Thailand it is particularly believed to be linked to eating rice cakes. Filipinos believe ingesting high levels of carbohydrates just before sleeping causes bangungot.
It has only been recently that the scientific world has begun to understand this syndrome. Victims of bangungot have not been found to have any organic heart diseases or structural heart problems.
However, cardiac activity during SUDS episodes indicates irregular heart rhythms and ventricular fibrillation. The victim survives this episode if the heart's rhythm goes back to normal. Older folks in the Philippines recommend trying wiggling the big toe while experiencing this to snap back.
Ongoing genetic studies by Spanish electrophysiologist Dr. Josep Brugada Terradellas show that SUDS results from mutations in the cardiac sodium channel gene. This means that it is a chromosomal problem, which is why it runs in families. Thus, doctors say that families who have kin that have suffered from or died of SUDS must see a heart specialist.
In the Philippines, most cases of bangungot have been linked with Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis, whereas in Thailand and Laos, bangungot (or in their term, Sudden Adult Death Syndrome) is caused by the Brugada syndrome. The Brugada syndrome is a Genetic disease that is characterised by abnormal Electrocardiogram (ECG findings and an increased risk of Sudden cardiac death [1]
Bangungot is also depicted in the Philippines as a mythological creature called batibat. The Batibat or Bangungot is a vengeful demon found in Ilocano folklore This hag-like creature sits on the victim's face so as to immobilize and suffocate him. HAG is a Swiss maker of Model trains in HO scale. These are high quality trains made of die-cast metal with reliable mechanisms
See also
Notes and references
- ^ http://www.inq7.net/lif/2004/jun/19/lif_7-1.htm (link broken as of 03 October 2007). Sudden unexpected death syndrome ( SUDS) or Sudden unexpected nocturnal death syndrome ( SUNDS) is sudden unexpected death of adolescents and adults during The Brugada syndrome is a Genetic disease that is characterised by abnormal Electrocardiogram (ECG findings and an increased risk of Sudden cardiac death Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in Breathing during Sleep. Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- Tan, Michael (29 August 2000), “Bangungot”, Philippine Daily Inquirer, <http://pinoykasi.homestead.com/files/2000articles/08292000_Bangungot.htm>
- Tan, Michael (1 April 2002), “Revisiting ‘bangungot’”, Philippine Daily Inquirer, <http://pinoykasi.homestead.com/files/2002articles/04012002_Revisiting_bangungot.htm>
- Tan, Michael (18 April 2002), “'Bangungot', the sequel”, Philippine Daily Inquirer, <http://pinoykasi.homestead.com/files/2002articles/04182002_Banungot_sequel.htm>
- Agence France Presse (8 April 2002), “Sleeping death syndrome terrorises young men”, The Borneo Post, <http://netinc.net.my/health/s/005.htm>
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