What is Sleepwalking? 10 sign and 5 causes of Somnambulism!

The act of walking or carrying out complicated tasks while partially unconscious is known as sleepwalking or somnambulism. It normally occurs while you’re in a deep sleep phase. The act of sleepwalk usually occurs in the first few hours that follow after becoming unconscious because this tends to peak early in the night. Sleepwalking is also known as somnambulism.

Sleepwalking is more common in children than in adults, and it normally passes before adolescence. Somnambulism episodes that are isolated usually don’t indicate any major issues or call for medical attention. On the other hand, persistent somnambulism might point to a sleep problem.

Adults who sleepwalk are more likely to have comorbid medical issues or other sleep disorders misdiagnosed as sleepwalking.

It is crucial to safeguard any sleepwalker in your home from any possible harm caused by their habit.

Signs of sleepwalking

1. Sleepwalkers usually move around while being asleep
2. They tend to have a glassy eyes expression while nightwalking. A sleepwalkers eyes are opened during the activity. Though their pupils are dilated and they have a blank expression
3. Sometimes they even perform routine activities while still being asleep. These activities include getting up from bed, getting dressed or obviously getting injured.
4. Sleepwalkers tend to have difficulty during the day due to lack of proper sleep.
5. Sleepwalkers actually can’t conversate or do any kind of communication with others while being in the state of sleepwalking.
6. The sleepwalker may look or behave as though they were partially awake during each episode.
7. A sleepwalker is impaired of perception of the environment.
8. Sleepwalkers usually can or cannot remember the dream they were seeing while sleepwalking.
9. Sleep walkers can also be eating while being completely unaware.
10. As a result of sleepwalking, insomnia can be developed or daytime sleepiness can also occur.

Causes

The main cause of sleepwalking is still unknown. Although there are a number of factors that can contribute to it. A delay in maturity of central nervous system, excessive tiredness, being deprived of sleep, feverishness or increased deep sleep can all be primary causes of somnambulism.

Moreover, nightwalking can also be genetic. It is common for children to sleepwalk if their birth/biological parents did too. Then we can conclude that sleepwalking can be an inheritable character. Research shows that, A child’s likelihood of sleepwalking is 47% if one parent has a history of it. If both parents have a history of sleepwalking, that percentage rises to 62%. Though it can very much be caused by natural components.

Sometimes underlying conditions that disrupt sleeping can cause sleepwalking. These conditions include:

1. Usage of substances like alcohol.
2. The medical condition of legs that are restless.
3. GERD, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease.
4. An assortment of conditions known as sleep-disordered breathing are defined by unusual breathing patterns while you sleep (such as the condition known as obstruction of breathing during sleep apnea).
5. using specific drugs, such as calming medications, hypnotic medications, or pharmaceuticals for issues related to mental health.

Treatment

There is no direct treatment for somnambulism. Although, there are a few suggestions that can be followed to get the best results:

• Reduce stress: The best thing to do if you suffer from nightwalking is to try and reduce your stress levels. Decreased stress lessens the chance of triggering sleepwalking.
• Medications: benzodiazepines or some antidepressants can be used to reduce the chances of somnambulism.
• Treat any causes: If sleepwalking has been associated to sleep deprivation, an underlying sleep issue, because or a medical condition, treating the problem is important