Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking isn’t actually a major issue, and the person grows out of it when they reach adulthood in most of the cases.

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking occurs without the awareness of the person, and it causes them to move around or do unexpected things while being asleep.

Sleepwalking typically starts in childhood, and most people overcome it when they become adults.

Causes of sleepwalking

Genetics are the most affecting risk factors for somnambulism. Many factors can lead to sleepwalking, such as:

• Stress.
• Not sleeping enough.
• Fever.
• Disrupting the sleep schedule, like during traveling.
• Conditions that cause unusual breathing patterns during sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea.
• Restless legs syndrome.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Certain medications, such as sedatives and hypnotics.

Symptoms of sleepwalking

Sleepwalking usually occurs 1-2 hours after falling asleep and lasts a few minutes, but sometimes longer. The person who sleepwalks may:

• Sit up in bed and open the eyes.
• Leave the bed and move around.
• Have a glazed-eyed expression.
• Move in a clumsy way.
• Eat things they don’t usually eat.
• Act out behaviors they were dreaming of.
• Not be easy to wake up.
• Not react when being talked to.
• Not remembering that they were sleepwalking after waking up.
• Be confused for a while after waking up.
• Do other things, like driving the car, getting dressed, talking, passing urine in the closet, engaging in a sexual activity, and becoming violent.
• Being tired and having problems functioning during the day due to the lack of sleep.

Diagnosis of sleepwalking

• Physical exam.
• Sleep study.

Treatment of sleepwalking

• Stress management techniques.
• Managing any underlying condition.
• Psychotherapy.
• Scheduled waking.
• Medications.