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ABSTRACT –

Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder in which a person gets up and start walking around in a state of sleep. Also known as Somnambulism or Noctambulism. It is mostly seen in children and gets extreme during teenage. The sleepwalker doesn’t remember anything while walking and doesn’t respond during the event as well. Some cases also show that a person might talk or blabber something. It is not a serious problem unless it becomes recurring which shows it’s an underlying sleep disorder. Repeated incidents need immediate action as it may cause possible injuries.

CAUSES –

• Fever
• Lack of sleep
• Stress and anxiety
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Disturbances or interruptions during sleep
• Certain medications such as sedatives, hypnotics or psychiatric medicines
• Underlying diseases like GERD, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome)
• Alcohol abuse
• Abnormal breathing during sleep

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –

• Unconscious getting up and walking around during the state of sleep
• Sitting up on bed with open eyes
• Irresponsive to others and doesn’t remember the incident later
• Difficulty in waking up
• Disorganized and confused behavior for a short period after getting up
• Disturbed sleep disrupts day-to-day routine and activities
• Sleep fears

COMPLICATIONS –

• Injury and accidents due to sleepwalking near furniture, stairs, on road etc
• Eating something inappropriate unconsciously
• Relationship issues
• Depression and embarrassment
• Troubling other’s sleep

DIAGNOSIS –

• Physical examination
• Discussion with doctor, family members about sleep patterns, family history of sleepwalking
• Nocturnal Sleep Study (Polysomnography): An overnight study done in sleep lab by placing sensors on body to monitor brain waves, oxygen levels in blood, heart rate and breathing including eye and leg movements while sleeping to understand the sleep cycle.

TREATMENT –

• Medications such as antidepressants
• Learning self-hypnosis
• Therapy or counseling for relaxation, improving sleep by stress reduction practices
• Avoid sleep affecting medications

PREVENTION –

• Keep surroundings safe and harmless
• Get enough and proper sleep
• Make a routine and stick to it
• Avoid alcohol consumption
• Don’t wake up the person while sleepwalking, gently take the individual to bed
• Reduce stress

EPIDEMIOLOGY –

• Children are majorly and commonly found to be affected due to sleepwalking than adults.
• It affects around 2% of the adult population worldwide.