Sleepwalking: symptoms, medications, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is sleep walking?

Sleep walking, also known as sleepwalking or somnambulism, is a behavioral disorder that occurs during deep sleep and causes a person to walk or perform complex behaviors while sleeping.

Somnambulism tends to appear within one hour to two hours of sleep and may occur about 5 to 15 minutes.

This condition is more common in children than adults and occurs more often when someone is sleep deprived.

Because the sleepwalker generally remains deep sleep throughout the episode, it will be difficult to wake up and may not remember the sleepwalking event.

Is sleep dangerous?

Somnambulism is not dangerous. However, this condition can be risky because children who experience it are not awake and may not be aware of what they are doing, such as going down stairs or opening windows.

Sleep walking is usually a sign that something is wrong emotionally or psychologically with the person. However, this condition does not cause any emotional harm.

How common is sleep walking?

Sleepwalking is very common. This condition can occur in patients of any age. Sleepwalking can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of sleep walking?

Sleepwalking most often starts during deep sleep, but it can also occur at a lighter stage of sleep, usually within a few hours of falling asleep, and the person may become semi-conscious during the episode.

Usually, people with somnambulism keep their eyes open while sleepwalking, but they don't see the same way when they wake up. Often, they think they are in a different room or place altogether.

A person who has somnambulism can feel the following:

Get out of bed and take a walk
Get up in bed and open your eyes
Has a wistful expression
Perform routine activities, such as changing clothes, talking or making snacks
Not responding or communicating with other people
Difficulty getting up during an episode
Disoriented or confused shortly after waking up
Get back to sleep quickly
Not remembering episodes in the morning
Sometimes it is difficult to function during the day due to disturbed sleep
Experience the sleep terrors that accompany sleepwalking.

Although it rarely happens, someone who is sleeping walking can also:

Leaving home
Driving a car
Doing unusual things, like defecating in the 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.

Apart from sleepwalking, other symptoms of somnambulism include:

Delirious
Little or no memory of events
Trouble waking the person up during an episode
Inappropriate behavior such as urinating in a cupboard (more common in children)
Shouting (when sleepwalking coincides with sleep terror)
Violence

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?

A walking sleep disorder that occurs rarely usually does not require the help of a medical team. Sometimes, this condition is a serious sign and may go away on its own, especially in children.

However, you should consider calling your doctor if sleepwalking occurs frequently or you are concerned that someone with somnabulism is injuring themselves.

You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

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 sleepwalkers.
It first appears when you are an adult.
Continue until adolescence.

Cause

What causes sleep walking?

The exact cause of sleepwalking is unknown, but the condition can run from family lines. You are more likely to experience somnabulism if your family members also have the condition.

The following are things that can trigger or cause your sleep walking:

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, which is 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
Travel.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for sleep walking?

There are many risk factors for sleepwalking, namely:

Genetic

Sleep goes downhill in families. The likelihood can increase 2-3 times if one parent experienced sleepwalking as a child or adult.

Age

Sleep walking is more common in children than in the elderly, and the occurrence of sleepwalking in adults is usually related to health conditions.

Diagnosis

How is sleep walking diagnosed?

Unless you live alone and are completely unaware of your sleepwalking condition, you will likely get a somnambulism diagnosis on your own. If your child goes to sleepwalk, you will know about it.

Here are the tests that you might do:

Physical examination

Your doctor may perform a physical or psychological exam to identify conditions that mimic sleepwalking, such as night seizures, other sleep disorders or panic attacks.

Sleep research

In some cases, laboratory sleep studies may be recommended. To participate in sleep research, which is also called a polysomnogram.

You will stay in the laboratory. Technologists will place the sensors on the scalp, temples, chest and feet using a mild adhesive, such as glue or tape.

The sensor is connected by cable to the computer. A small clamp is placed on the finger or ear to see the oxygen level in the blood.

Polysomnography recorded brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate and breathing, and eye and leg movements during the study. Technologists watch you all night while you sleep.

EEG

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is performed under rare conditions. If your doctor suspects a serious condition that causes you to sleep walking, you may need an EEG, a useful test to check brain activity.

Your doctor will review the information to determine if you have a sleep disorder.

Treatment

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

How is sleep walking handled?

Treatment for sleepwalking that occurs infrequently 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 disturbing others.

Treatments can include:

Addressing the underlying condition, if sleepwalking is related to sleep deprivation 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 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.

Quoted from Kids Health, for children who often sleep walking, doctors may recommend a treatment called a wake-up schedule. This means parents are asked to wake their children before their usual sleepwalking schedule.

This method can help overcome sleep walking. In rare cases, your doctor may prescribe medication for sleep.

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

Changing some lifestyle habits may stop the sleep state from running. Stick to a sleep schedule and have a relaxing routine before bed. If you drink alcohol and use drugs, stop.

If you are taking medication, ask your doctor if it helps. Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with sleepwalking conditions:

Create a safe environment

Create a safe environment for sleepwalking. If sleepwalking causes injury or has the potential to cause injury, consider some precautions to avoid injury.

Close and lock all windows and doors at night. You can also lock the door in the house or set an alarm or bell on the door.

Block the path to the door or staircase with a fence, remove power lines or other objects that could cause them to fall.

Keep sharp or vulnerable objects and lock any weapons. If your child sleepwalks, don't let him sleep on a bunk bed.

Get enough sleep

Fatigue can contribute to sleepwalking. If you are sleep deprived, try going to bed early and regularly and taking naps, especially for toddlers.

Set up a regular, relaxing routine before bed

Do a relaxing activity before bed, such as reading a book, playing a puzzle or taking a warm bath. Meditation or relaxation exercises can also help.

Manage stress

Identify the problems causing the stress and find ways to deal with the stress. Talk about what's bothering you. If your child seems nervous or stressed, talk about the problem with the child.

Look at the pattern

Over the course of a few nights, record - or have someone else in your household note - the number of minutes after sleepwalking occurs. When times are consistent, this information is useful for planning anticipation by awakening.

Try to stay positive. Although annoying, sleepwalking is usually not a serious condition and will go away on its own.