Sleepwalking-Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors and Treatment

Sleepwalking (also called somnambulism) is a behavior in which the child gets up during the night and walks or does other activities. The child usually does not remember getting up or being engaged in the activities. Sleepwalking usually happens in the first few hours of sleep during deep sleep. Not all sleepwalkers actually walk. Some sit up or stand in bed or act like they're awake (but dazed) when, in fact, they're asleep! But most do get up and move around for a few seconds or for as long as half an hour. In this article we are discussing the sleepwalking and its symptoms, causes and treatment process.

Sleepwalking in children

It is more normal sleepwalking in children than you think. Pediatric sleepwalking is when a child wakes partially from sleep and walks around but is unaware of their actions. Often called somnambulism. At some point, almost one-third of children will be sleepwalking. Sleepwalking is most often seen in children aged between four to eight, and is typically outgrown by teenagers. Up to 15 per cent sleepwalk for children. During puberty children typically avoid sleepwalking alone.

Most of the kids who sleepwalk start doing so one or two hours after falling asleep. Sleepwalking episodes normally last from five to fifteen minutes. Usually, this activity is normal and most children grow up out of it. But, if left unaddressed it can be harmful. Protecting your child from potential sleepwalking injury is important.

If your child has somnambulism, it's important that you are known the triggers, symptoms, therapies and everything else that this disease entails. 

Sleepwalking doesn't hurt your child, and most kids grow out of that. If your child is sleepwalking, make sure that your home is safe.

Episodes of sleepwalking can get worse with illness and fevers, or if your child becomes very concerned about something. If your child is overtired, they might have a greater chance of sleepwalking. Often night terrors or sleepwalking are family history. Major emotional or psychological problems usually do not cause sleepwalking.

The cause of sleepwalking is not known but lack of sleep or psychological factors can trigger the disorder. The child may be anxious about something, but most children who walk sleeping have no emotional issues. 

If you have trouble sleepwalking, your doctor may recommend using a technique called scheduled awakening. This involves monitoring your child for a few nights to determine when the sleepwalking usually takes place and then rousing your child from sleep 15 minutes before the expected sleepwalking. This can help reset the sleep cycle of the child, and control the behaviour of sleepwalking. 

As such, the easiest and most effective treatment is to make your child sleep more, and preferably, restorative sleep more.

The causal factor for sleepwalking is in certain cases medications and some medicines. For an option that does not include sleepwalking as its side effects, consult your doctor. 

In sleepwalking, therapy and counselling can also improve. A couple of stress control sessions and sleep therapy have helped a lot.

Sleepwalking Symptoms 

The symptoms of sleepwalking may be evident. The most popular indication is to get up and walk around from bed while still sleeping. Additional sleepwalking symptoms may include:

• Not communicating with others when spoken to

• A glossy-eyed expression

• Clumsiness

• Acting confused or disoriented after being awakened

• Aggressive behavior when woken up by someone else

• Having a blank look on the face

• Opening eyes during sleep

• Not remembering the sleep walking episode when they wake up

• Sitting up and appearing awake during sleep

• Walking during sleep

• Detailed sleep-time habits of any sort 

• Speaking while sleep and doing things that make no sense

A diagnosis of sleepwalking is usually made by a family member, roommate or partner’s account of the sleepwalker’s behavior. In some cases, a physician may want to rule out psychological issues that may be associated with an increased risk of sleepwalking. If a sleep disorder is suspected, it may also be advised to do a sleep test. 

What Causes Sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking tends to be related to hereditary (genetic), environmental, physiological, and medical factors. 

1. Genetic Factors

Sleepwalking happens more often in identical twins and is 10 times more probable if a first-degree parent has a sleepwalking background

2. Environmental Factors

Sleep deprivation, erratic sleep patterns, fever, stress, deficiency in magnesium, and intoxication with alcohol can cause sleepwalking.

Sedative / hypnotic drugs (sleep-promoting drugs), neuroleptics (drugs used to treat psychosis), minor tranquilizers (drugs having a calming effect), stimulants (drugs that enhance activity), and antihistamines (drugs used to treat allergy symptoms) can induce sleepwalking.

3. Physiologic Factors

• The duration and depth of slow-wave sleep, which is larger in young children, can be a factor in increased sleepwalking frequency in infants. 

• Factors such as pregnancy and menstrual cycles are known to increase the sleepwalking frequency.

4. Associated Medical Conditions

• Arrhythmias (Anomalous heart rhythms) 

• Fever

• Gastroesophageal reflux (food or liquid regurgitating in the digestive tube or esophagus from the stomach) 

• Asthma by night 

• Nighttime seizures (convulsions) 

• Obstructive sleep apnea (a condition that suddenly prevents breathing while sleeping);

• Mental illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attack or dissociative symptoms ( e.g. multiple personality disorder)

When to seek medical help?

There is typically no need to treat sleepwalking if the episodes are not:

• very regular

• Make your child sleepy by the day

• Unsafe activities 

Speak to your doctor if sleepwalking still occurs, creates complications, or your child hasn't outgrown it by the early teen years.

Risk factors

Factors which could increase sleepwalking risk include:

• Genetics. Apparently sleepwalking occurs in families. It is more likely if you have one parent with a sleepwalking history, and more likely if both parents have a history of the condition. 

• Age. Sleepwalking happens more often in children than in adults, and the occurrence is more likely to be related to other underlying conditions.

Complications of Sleepwalking 

Sleepwalking is not generally concern itself, but a person who is sleepwalking can:

• Hurt themselves — especially if they walk close to furniture or stairs, wander outside, drive a car or eat something inappropriate during a sleepwalk episode .

• Experience persistent disturbance of sleep that can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and potential school or behavioral problems.

• Feel ashamed, or experience social interaction issues

• Disturb others' sleep

• Rarely, injure someone else nearby

Prevention

Practice other techniques for good sleep hygiene. Incorporate other tactics to ensure you get the quality sleep that your body needs regularly to help reduce the likelihood of sleepwalking. This may include:

• Stick to a regular schedule. Sleep early and wake up early, at the same time every day.

• Cap your naps. If you’re feeling lethargic go and take afternoon meal. But don’t snooze for more than 30 minutes and avoid napping after 3 P.M. to avoid messing up your sleep at night.

• Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and cool. Block outside lights with dark shades or curtains, and keep the temperature in your bedroom at about 65 degrees. Using a white noise machine or wear earplugs if you are living noisily anywhere.

• Steer clear of screens. The blue light emitted from your smartphone, tablet, or computer leaves your brain feeling energized, making it harder to fall asleep. At least an hour before bed power down.

• Limit alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Firstly alcohol can make you feel tired, but in the evening it can lead to uncomfortable sleep. And both caffeine and nicotine are stimulants, so lay the afternoon coffee off after late. Limit smoke in the evening, if you have not stopped smoking.

• Invest in a comfortable mattress. Prefer a mattress that facilitates deeper, more comfortable sleep and can eliminate disturbances like sleepwalking.