Sleepwalking (sleep walking): symptoms, medications, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking or sleep walking is a disorder that causes a person to stand and walk during sleep. Sleepwalking usually occurs when a person is in a deep sleep stage, to a lighter stage or a conscious stage. People who experience sleepwalking are unable to respond to events, and usually don't remember them. Sometimes, he can speak nonsense.

How common is sleepwalking?

The incidence of sleepwalking is estimated to be between 1% and 15% of the general population. Sleep walking usually occurs in childhood, between the ages of 4-8 years. However, adults can do it too. The occurrence of sleepwalking in adults is common, and is usually not associated with significant psychiatric or psychological disorders.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of sleepwalking (sleep walking)?

Sleepwalking usually occurs at the beginning of bed at night, often 1-2 hours after sleep and rarely during a nap. Sleep-walking episodes can occur infrequently or frequently, and one episode usually lasts a few minutes or more.

A sleepwalker can:

• Get out of bed and take a walk
• Get up in bed and open your eyes
• Has a wistful expression
• Doing routine activities, such as changing clothes, talking, or making snacks
• Not responding or communicating with other people
• It's hard to wake up during a sleepwalking episode
• Disoriented or confused shortly after waking up
• Get back to sleep quickly
• Not remembering that he sleepwalks in the morning
• Sometimes it is difficult to function during the day due to disturbed sleep
• Experience the sleep terrors / nightmares that accompany sleepwalking.

Although it is rare, someone who is sleepwalking may also:

• Leaving home
• Driving a car
• Doing unusual things, such as urinating in a cupboard
• Engaging in sexual activity without awareness
• Injuries, such as falling down stairs or jumping from windows
• Becomes rude when confused after waking up or on events.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

The occasional sleepwalking episode is usually not a cause for concern. You can notify at the time of physical examination. However, consult your doctor if a sleepwalking episode:

• It often happens, for example, more than 1-2 times a week
• Causes dangerous behavior or injury to a sleepwalker (such as leaving the house) or others
• Causing sleep disturbances in family members or embarrassing yourself
• It was her first time as an adult
• Continued from childhood to adolescence

Cause

What causes sleepwalking?

The following are things that can trigger or worsen your condition:

• Lack of sleep
• Fatigue
• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fever
• Disruption to sleep schedule
• Medications, such as short-term hypnosis, sedatives, or a combination of drugs for psychiatric illnesses, and alcohol.

Sometimes, sleepwalking can be triggered by conditions that interfere with sleep, such as:

• Respiratory disorders during sleep: a collection of disorders characterized by abnormal breathing patterns during sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea
• Narcolepsy
• Restless legs syndrome
• Gastric acid
• Migraine
• Medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, head injury or stroke
• Traveling.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for sleepwalking?

There are many risk factors for sleepwalking, namely:

• Genetic: sleepwalking runs in families. The likelihood can increase 2-3 times if one parent experienced sleepwalking as a child or adulthood.
• Age: sleepwalking is more common in children than parents, and the occurrence of sleepwalking in adults is usually related to health conditions.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is sleepwalking diagnosed?

Sleepwalking in children is normal and usually does not require medical treatment. Parents need to supervise children. Adults who continue or begin sleepwalking are more at risk of injury. In this case, consult a medical professional.

The medical professional will try to find out if there are other causes for sleepwalking or that are causing the symptoms to worsen, such as:

• Other sleep disorders
• Medical conditions
• Drug use
• Mental disorders
• Substance abuse.

Your doctor can check your sleep using a lab sleep study. Also known as a polysomnogram, sleep research shows your brain waves, heart rate and breathing while you sleep. The study also looked at how your hands and feet moved and recorded your sleeping behavior. This can help show if you are getting out of bed and doing anything unusual.

What are the treatments for sleepwalking?

Treatment for infrequent sleepwalking is usually unnecessary. Sleepwalking in children usually disappears during adolescence.

If you notice your child or anyone else in the house sleepwalking, slowly lead him back to bed.

Treatment may be needed if there are negative consequences of sleepwalking, such as risk of injury or embarrassment, or annoying others.

Treatment can include:

• Addressing the underlying condition, if sleepwalking is related to lack of sleep or sleep disturbances, medical conditions, or mental disorders.
• Change of medication, if sleepwalking is suspected as a result of treatment.
• Wake up with anticipation: wake the sleepwalker 15 minutes before sleepwalking time, then let it wake up for 5 minutes before going back to sleep.
• Medications, such as benzodiazepines or certain antidepressants, if sleepwalking causes potential injury, irritates family members, or causes embarrassment or sleep disturbances
• Learn self hypnosis

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat sleepwalking (sleep walking)?

There are no known ways to prevent sleepwalking, but the following tips can minimize risks, such as:

• Enough sleep
• Limiting stress with meditation or relaxation exercises
• Avoiding stimulation (auditory or visual) before bed

Tips for protecting yourself while sleepwalking

Here are steps to prevent harm when sleepwalking:

• Create a safe environment, free from dangerous objects or sharp objects
• Sleep on the bedroom floor, if possible
• Lock doors and windows
• Cover the glass windows with heavy curtains
• Set an alarm or bell on the bedroom door
• Try to stay positive, because even if it's annoying, sleepwalking is usually not a serious condition and will go away on its own.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.