Editing Sleep paralysis (section)

== Prevention ==
Several circumstances have been identified that are associated with an increased risk of sleep paralysis. These include [[insomnia]], [[sleep deprivation]], an erratic sleep schedule, [[Stress (biology)|stress]], and physical fatigue. It is also believed that there may be a genetic component in the development of RISP, because there is a high concurrent incidence of sleep paralysis in [[monozygotic twins]].<ref name=Sehgal /> Sleeping in the [[supine position]] has been found an especially prominent instigator of sleep paralysis.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=Cheynetwotwo>{{cite journal |last=Cheyne |first=J. |title=Situational factors affecting sleep paralysis and associated hallucinations: position and timing effects |journal=Journal of Sleep Research|year=2002|volume=11 |pages=169–177 |doi=10.1046/j.1365-2869.2002.00297.x |pmid=12028482 |issue=2|s2cid=37037694 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Sleeping in the supine position is believed to make the sleeper more vulnerable to episodes of sleep paralysis because in this sleeping position, it is possible for the soft palate to collapse and obstruct the airway. This is a possibility regardless of whether the individual has been diagnosed with [[sleep apnea]] or not. There may also be a greater rate of microarousals while sleeping in the supine position because there is a greater amount of pressure being exerted on the lungs due to gravity.<ref name=Cheynetwotwo />

While many factors can increase the risk for ISP or RISP, they can be avoided with minor lifestyle changes.<ref name=Goldstein />