Do you sleepwalk too? (Sleepwalking) – Let's talk about this!

Have you ever woken up and found yourself somewhere else? Or have you ever seen someone in your house walking in their sleep? This is what we call sleepwalking . Although it can be a bit scary at times, it's actually not that big of a problem. Let's talk about it in more detail today.

What exactly is sleepwalking?

Simply put, sleepwalking is when you get out of bed and move around while you're asleep. Sometimes you can do other strange things, too. The scientific name for this is somnambulism . This is a sleep disorder, which is a type of parasomnia . The best part is that this condition often runs in families, meaning if your parents had it, you're more likely to have it too. But don't worry, most people will outgrow it as they get older. It's estimated that about 7 in 100 people in the world will sleepwalk at least once in their lives. It usually starts in childhood. Between 5 and 15 in 100 children between the ages of 4 and 8 will experience this experience within a year, and about 1 in 1.5 in 100 adults will experience it.

Do you also have these symptoms?

As the name suggests, many people who sleepwalk get up and walk around while they are asleep. But, this is not all. There are many other things that can happen. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Not quite awake: You become active, meaning you get out of bed, move around, but you don't fully wake up. It's like a halfway point between being asleep and being awake.
• Time: This usually happens within the first two to three hours after you fall asleep . That is, during deep sleep.
• Lack of body control: Your movements seem a little strange, like your limbs are tangled, and you do some things with great difficulty.
• Lack of awareness of surroundings: You may not be aware of where you are or what is happening around you. Even with your eyes open, you may not be able to respond to what is in front of you. Imagine you are walking around the room, but you feel like you are about to bump into a table.
• You don't remember anything you did: You won't remember anything you did while sleepwalking. When you wake up in the morning, you'll wonder, "How did I get here?"
• Difficulty performing complex tasks: For example, you may not be able to perform tasks that require a little thought, such as opening a door with a key, because your brain is not using the coordination skills needed for such tasks at that time.
• Doing things you dream about in reality:Sometimes you can actually do something you dream about. For example, if you dream about going to the bathroom, you might actually urinate in an inappropriate place. Some people talk in their sleep.
• Sleep eating: This is also something that happens to some people. You may be tempted to eat things you wouldn't normally eat, for example, things you can't eat, or foods that are high in carbohydrates . You may find uncooked or half-cooked food in the kitchen or on your bed in the morning. This sleep eating habit can also lead to weight gain.

Imagine, some people open the fridge and eat an ice cream while sleepwalking, but don't remember it in the morning!

While most people are unable to perform complex tasks while sleepwalking, there have been rare reports of people driving or cooking while sleepwalking. This is especially true if you have been sleepwalking for several days without proper sleep (more than 24 hours).

Why do you sleepwalk like this? What are the reasons?

Doctors still can't say exactly why sleepwalking happens. But the main cause that has been discovered so far is genetics . That means it's something that runs in families.

• If one of your parents sleepwalks, you have a 47% chance of also sleepwalking.
• If both parents sleepwalk, the chance increases to 62% .
• Additionally, research has found that among Caucasians, those with a genetic mutation called `HLA-DQB1*05` are at a higher risk of sleepwalking.

Risk factors for sleepwalking

There are other possible causes of sleepwalking, or some risk factors that can increase the risk of sleepwalking. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Sleep deprivation : People who don't get enough sleep are more likely to sleepwalk. Also, people who are sleep deprived are more likely to perform complex tasks while sleepwalking.
• Other sleep disorders : If you have another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea , it can also be a cause of sleepwalking, as these disorders affect your sleep cycle.
• Alcohol: Drinking alcohol before bed can affect your sleep, which can lead to sleepwalking.
• Mental health : Research shows that things like anxiety , stress , traumatic events in childhood, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increase the risk of sleepwalking.
• Thyroid problems: Overactive thyroid ( hyperthyroidism ) can sometimes cause sleepwalking, but this is not common.
• Brain-related diseases: Sleepwalking can be caused by diseases that impair brain function , such as Parkinson's disease , if they affect the brainstem. Also, sleepwalking can be caused by rare developmental conditions, such as Smith-Magenis syndrome .
• Environmental influences (if you are at higher risk): It can be caused by things like an illness that comes and goes with a fever, a full bladder , or a sudden noise, and if you have a tendency to sleepwalk.

Do some medications also affect this?

Yes, research has found that some medications can also cause sleepwalking. Some of the most common medications include:

• `Zolpidem (Ambien®)`
• `Quetiapine (Seroquel®)`
• `Metoprolol (Lopressor®)`

If you think you (or someone close to you) are sleepwalking because of a medication you're taking, it's important to talk to a doctor right away . Your doctor can review the medications you're taking and tell you if they pose any risks.

How to recognize sleepwalking?

A doctor can usually diagnose the condition by asking you about your sleepwalking behavior. This can be helped by hearing from family members who have seen you sleepwalk. Sometimes, a video from a phone or security camera can be helpful. Since sleepwalking doesn't happen every night, it can be difficult to detect with a sleep study. The best way to confirm sleepwalking is to have a complete sleep study, called a polysomnography . However, this isn't always necessary. Your doctor (or your child's doctor) may order one of these tests if:

• If your doctor suspects that your sleepwalking symptoms are caused by another medical condition, they may also want to differentiate sleepwalking from sleep-related seizures or REM behavior disorder.
• If you are injured due to sleepwalking, or if your behavior is disturbing the sleep of others in the house.

In some cases, the doctor may order electromyography or electroencephalography.Other tests may also be recommended, such as to rule out other conditions that may be associated with sleepwalking.

Is there a treatment for this? Can it be cured?

In most cases, sleepwalking does not require specific treatment. Even if it is, there are non-drug treatments that your doctor may recommend. These include:

• Relaxation and stress management techniques: Reducing stress can reduce the risk of sleepwalking.
• Treating other disorders that cause sleepwalking: For example, treating conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea can reduce sleepwalking.
• Psychotherapy: Seeing a mental health professional can help reduce anxiety, stress, and other factors that contribute to sleepwalking.
• Scheduled waking: Sleepwalking often occurs at a specific time (usually within the first few hours of falling asleep). So, waking yourself (or your child) 15-30 minutes before you think sleepwalking is likely to occur can help prevent sleepwalking.

Sleepwalking medication

There are no specific medications approved for sleepwalking. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medications that alter neurotransmitter levels, but there is no evidence that they are effective. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that your brain uses to send messages and control processes throughout the nervous system. Medications that can affect neurotransmitters include:

• `Gabapentin`
• Antidepressants

Your doctor may also prescribe a sedative to reduce the chance of waking up during sleep.

Can sleepwalking be prevented?

Sleepwalking happens when we least expect it, and for reasons that even doctors don't fully understand. That means we can't stop it from happening in the first place. However, there are things we can do to reduce the risk of frequent sleepwalking:

• Keep a consistent time to go to bed and wake up (doctors call this good sleep hygiene).
• Make time to sleep as much as possible and avoid sleep deprivation.
• Stay away from things that affect sleep, like alcohol and caffeine.
• Control your stress and anxiety .
• Check for common sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, which can increase sleepwalking.

Your doctor can advise you on other things you can do to reduce your risk of sleepwalking.

What can a sleepwalker expect?

Sleepwalking is a dangerous condition . You may slip and fall, or do things you wouldn't do if you were fully awake and alert. Rarely, some people who sleepwalk may do things that are inappropriate or unsafe for others. For example, they may engage in inappropriate sexual behavior (also known as sexsomnia ). Others may become agitated or angry if woken up. For these reasons, it's important to try to prevent sleepwalking and take safety precautions.

How long does sleepwalking last?

Sleepwalking is a condition that usually goes away on its own as children reach adulthood . Only about 1% of people who sleepwalk as children continue to sleepwalk as adults. Even if they do, the frequency of sleepwalking decreases as they age.

What complications can this cause?

Sleepwalking is usually not a serious condition. However, sleepwalkers are at increased risk of injury . This can include falling down stairs, jumping out of windows, driving while asleep, eating while asleep, and cooking while asleep. There have also been reports of violent behavior while sleepwalking. Fortunately, violent behavior is very rare .

How do we ensure our safety?

There are several things you can do to reduce the risk of injury or other damage:

• Keep doors and windows locked: Sleepwalkers often have difficulty solving problems and performing complex tasks. Locks and latches can limit the distance a sleepwalker can travel and prevent injuries.
• Remove breakable items: Replace glass in glass windows and sliding doors with other materials or unbreakable glass. Remove breakable items like lamps and decorations.
• Use bells or sound-activated, motion-sensitive devices: These can wake you up if you are a sleepwalker, or alert you if a loved one or child is sleepwalking.
• Change the way your home is decorated and furnished: Small tables, stairs, and power cords can increase the risk of falling. Remove them or move them to a location that reduces the risk. You can also prevent falls by installing things like gates on stairs. Avoiding bunk beds and sleeping only in rooms on the ground floor can also help.
• Keep dangerous items safe: No matter how small the space, anything that could cause injury should be kept safe. This includes firearms, sharp objects like knives, and tools.

Is it dangerous to wake up a sleepwalker? Why?

If you wake up a sleepwalker, they will become agitated and confused.It is possible. Very rarely, they may react with fear or anger to the thing – or the person – that woke them up. If you must wake a sleepwalker, do it slowly, without scaring or startling them .

The safest thing to do for a sleepwalker is to gently guide them back to bed . Most of the time, they will fall back asleep and not remember what happened.

What do sleepwalkers see?

Sleepwalkers often have their eyes open, but it is clear that they are not fully awake. They usually do not respond to or appear aware of things that should be in their field of vision. Since sleepwalkers do not remember what they see, it is impossible to say what they see. Medical records do not mention what they see.

Finally, the most important thing (Take-Home Message)

Sleepwalking is usually not serious, but it does have risks. That's why it's important to prevent it whenever possible, or at least limit the chance of injury. If you have to wake someone who is sleepwalking, it won't harm them. But remember, it's normal for them to be confused when they wake up from the episode. They may feel drowsy and disoriented for a few minutes. The safest and best thing to do is to slowly put them back to bed. They won't remember what happened, but you can rest easy knowing that they're safe. I hope this information is helpful. If you have any more questions about this, don't hesitate to talk to a doctor.