The prevalence of sleep terrors in general is unknown. The number of small children who experience sleep terror episodes (distinct from sleep terror disorder, which is recurrent and causes distress or impairment) are estimated at 36.9% at 18 months of age and at 19.7% at 30 months. In adults, the prevalence is lower, at only 2.2%. Night terrors have been known since ancient times, although it was impossible to differentiate them from nightmares until rapid eye movement was studied. Signs and symptoms
The universal feature of night terrors is inconsolability, very similar to that of a panic attack. During night terror bouts, people are usually described as "bolting upright" with their eyes wide open and a look of fear and panic on their faces. They will often yell, scream, or attempt to speak, though such speech is often incomprehensible. Furthermore, they will usually sweat, exhibit rapid breathing, and have a rapid heart rate (autonomic signs). In some cases, individuals are likely to have even more elaborate motor activity, such as a thrashing of limbs—which may include punching, swinging, or fleeing motions. There is a sense that the individuals are trying to protect themselves and/or escape from a possible threat of bodily injury. Although people may seem to be awake during a night terror, they will appear confused, be inconsolable and/or unresponsive to attempts to communicate with them, and may not recognize others familiar to them.
Facial eczema is a mycotoxic disease that affects the liver of several animals, mainly sheep and cattle, but can also infect other ungulates. It is caused by ingesting sporidesmins released by the fungus Pithomyces chartarum. Its visible symptoms are characterized by red skin that turns black and crusty before peeling off, as well as inflammation that can cause swelling of the udder, teats, ears and face. The disease is not always visible. Other symptoms include weight loss, weakness and death. P. chartarum
It grows mostly in New Zealand but also occurs in Australia, France, South Africa, and South America. The fungus grows on dead plants, especially on perennial ryegrass near the ground (25mm height). It most commonly grows between January and May, as it requires warm, humid conditions, as well as moisture at ground level. Areas of spore growth can include urine patches and areas sheltered by hedges. The fungus grows in clusters and is normally invisible to human eye. It produces millions of spores with the toxic substance sporidesmin. Fresh spores are particularly toxic. Contaminated pasture loses its toxicity after 2 weeks. Pathophysiology
The incubation period is 7-20 days after poison intake. Sporidesmin is hepatotoxic and leads to hepatogenous photosensitization and phylloerythrin accumulation in the bloodstream. It damages the bile ducts and then the liver. The worst case is liver necrosis. This causes – as a secondary effect – photosensitization, this means the inflammation of unpigmented areas and exposed skin (ears, teat, face) and photodynamic dermatitis. Only 5% of affected animals show the respective clinical signs.