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Sleepwalking, as the name suggests is the act of walking while still asleep. Also known as somnambulism, Mayo Clinic describes it as “getting up and walking around while in a state of sleep”, adding that while intermittent episodes of sleepwalking may not be a cause for worry, “recurrent sleepwalking may suggest an underlying sleep disorder.
Concurring, Dr Sachin D, Consultant Interventional Pulmonology, Critical care and Sleep Medicine, Fortis Cunningham Road, Bangalore, said that sleepwalking can also include a range of complex actions like “getting dressed, eating, cleaning, running, urinating at inappropriate places”. “Some may also engage in sexual activity, driving, or violent activities while still asleep. These episodes can last for a few minutes to half an hour. The person may go back to bed by themselves or may get confused while awakened and may not recollect the episode,” he told indianexpress.com.
Stressing the same, Dr Noorie, a consultant radiologist wrote on Instagram, “Some studies suggest that children who sleepwalk may have been more restless sleepers when they were ages 4 to 5, and with more frequent awakenings during the first year of life.”
Adding, she noted that if you have experienced bouts of sleepwalking or have been told by friends or loved ones that you roam the house in your sleep, then according to the National Sleep Foundation, here are important things about sleepwalking that you need to know.
Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder & Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals said, “The exact causes of sleepwalking are not fully understood, but it can be triggered by various factors such as sleep deprivation, stress, alcohol, and certain medications. It can also be associated with other medical conditions such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and epilepsy.”
Risk factors for sleep walking
Dr Noorie noted that if there is a family history of sleepwalking, one is 10 times more likely to do it. Moreover, sleepwalking is more likely to occur if you are sleep deprived.
“It can also happen if you are stressed out, drunk or taking drugs such as sedative-hypnotics (which help you relax or sleep), neuroleptics (used to treat psychosis), stimulants (which boost activity), and antihistamines (used to treat allergy symptoms,” she shared.
So, how can sleepwalking be diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. They might need to do some tests to find out whether there is an underlying medical condition. These tests might include:
*Physical exam
*Sleep study (polysomnography). You’ll spend the night in a sleep lab, where workers will records things like your heart rate, brain waves and movements while you sleep.
*EEG (rare cases) to study the activity of your brain
Treatment
“Treatment for sleepwalking usually involves making lifestyle changes such as improving sleep hygiene, avoiding alcohol and drugs, reducing stress, and keeping a regular sleep schedule. Medications such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants may also be prescribed in some cases,” Dr Bajaj said.
Concluding, he said, “It’s important to consult a sleep medicine specialist and get a treatment tailored to one’s symptoms, severity, and frequency to avoid potential complications due to sleepwalking.”
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