Sleepwalking

Health and Science For Sunday 050309

Hey folks,

We're back. OK. I will admit it. This is a "disorder" that I do suffer from. I Sleepwalk. I do not do it every day, or night. But I do walk in my sleep a few times a year.

I have sat down at the computer, woke up in bed. Went to bed, woke up in my chair with the TV on. Went to bed and woke up at the Computer. I even went in and laid on the bed in Joshua's room once when he was not home. {At Grandma's}

One time when my Niece was spending the night, she claims that she put me back to bed because I came out and woke her to go to the store, at 3 AM. I remember nothing.

Since it happens so infrequently, I never really think about it. But when it does it can be a little concerning. So what is this all about? It is more common than I thought. According to E Medicine Health - Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking has been described in medical literature dating before Hippocrates (460 BC-370 BC). In Shakespeare's tragic play, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth's famous sleepwalking scene ("out, damned spot") is ascribed to her guilt and resulting insanity as a consequence of her involvement in the murder of her father-in-law.

Sleepwalking is characterized by complex behavior (walking) accomplished while asleep. Occasionally nonsensical talking may occur while sleepwalking. The person's eyes are commonly open but have a characteristic glassy "look right through you" character. This activity most commonly occurs during middle childhood and young adolescence. Approximately 15% of children between 4-12 years of age will experience sleepwalking. Generally sleepwalking behaviors are resolved by late adolescence; however, approximately 10% of all sleepwalkers begin their behavior as teens. A genetic tendency has been noted.

There are five stages of sleep. Stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 are characterized as non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is the sleep cycle associated with dreaming as well as surges of important hormones essential for proper growth and metabolism. Each sleep cycle (stages 1,2,3,4, and REM) lasts about 90-100 minutes and repeats throughout the night. Thus the average person experiences 4-5 complete sleep cycles per night. Sleepwalking characteristically occurs during the first or second sleep cycle during stages 3 and 4. Due to the short time frame involved, sleepwalking tends not to occur during naps. Upon waking, the sleepwalker has no memory of his behaviors.

Sleepwalking Causes

Genetic factors

Sleepwalking occurs more frequently in identical twins, and is 10 times more likely to occur if a first-degree relative has a history of sleepwalking.

That's interesting. I'll have to let my friend Steve know to watch for this. He has twin 3 year old Girls.

Environmental factors

Sleep deprivation, chaotic sleep schedules, fever, stress, magnesium deficiency, and alcohol intoxication can trigger sleepwalking.

Drugs, for example, sedative/hypnotics (drugs that promote sleep), neuroleptics (drugs used to treat psychosis), minor tranquilizers (drugs that produce a calming effect), stimulants (drugs that increase activity), and antihistamines (drugs used to treat symptoms of allergy) can cause sleepwalking.

Physiologic factors

The length and depth of slow wave sleep, which is greater in young children, may be a factor in the increased frequency of sleepwalking in children.

Conditions, such as pregnancy and menstruation, are known to increase the frequency of sleepwalking.

Associated medical conditions

Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)

Well, that could explain one reason I do.

Fever

Gastroesophageal reflux (food or liquid regurgitating from the stomach into the food tube or esophagus)

Nighttime asthma

Nighttime seizures (convulsions)

Obstructive sleep apnea (a condition in which breathing stops temporarily while sleeping)

Psychiatric disorders, for example, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic attack, or dissociative states (for example, multiple personality disorder)

Sleepwalking Symptoms

Episodes range from quiet walking about the room to agitated running or attempts to "escape." Patients may appear clumsy and dazed in their behaviors.

Now here is something that I did know. For those of you out there that may not believe your Loved One is really sleeping. They most likely are.

Typically, the eyes are open with a glassy, staring appearance as the person quietly roams the house. They do not, however, walk with their arms extended in front of them as is inaccurately depicted in movies.

ZOMBIES {Laughing} This is why people actually get hurt walking into things. I remember reading a story about a woman that walked THROUGH her sliding glass door while Sleepwalking. This is why if you, or someone you love DOES Sleepwalk, you must take precautions to help them.

On questioning, responses are slow with simple thoughts, contain non-sense phraseology, or are absent. If the person is returned to bed without awakening, the person usually does not remember the event.

I don't.

Older children, who may awaken more easily at the end of an episode, often are embarrassed by the behavior (especially if it was inappropriate). In lieu of walking, some children perform repeated behaviors (for example, straightening their pajamas). Bedwetting may also occur.

Sleepwalking is not associated with previous sleep problems, sleeping alone in a room or with others, achluophobia (fear of the dark), or anger outbursts.

Some studies suggest that children who sleepwalk may have been more restless sleepers when aged 4-5 years, and more restless with more frequent awakenings during the first year of life.

So you or someone you love Sleepwalks. What can you do to protect yourself or others? Is Sleepwalking a major concern in of itself? No.

How to Keep a Sleepwalker Safe

Although sleepwalking isn't dangerous by itself, it's important to take precautions so that your sleepwalking child is less likely to fall down, run into something, walk out the front door, or drive (if your teen is a sleepwalker, or the sleep walker is an Adult. This is from Kids Health - Sleepwalking but it applies to anyone Sleepwalking).

To help keep your sleepwalker out of harm's way:

Don't awaken a sleepwalker because this might scare your child. Instead, gently guide him or her back to bed.

Lock the windows and doors, not just in your child's bedroom but throughout your home, in case your young sleepwalker decides to wander. You may consider extra locks or child safety locks on doors. Keys should be kept out of reach for kids who are old enough to drive.

To prevent falls, don't let your sleepwalker sleep in a bunk bed.

Remove sharp or breakable things from around your child's bed.

Keep dangerous objects out of reach.

Remove obstacles from your child's room and throughout your home to prevent a stumble. Especially eliminate clutter on the floor (i.e., in your child's bedroom or playroom).

Install safety gates outside your child's room and/or at the top of any stairs.

Like I said, this is about Kids, but it applies to anyone, even you, that Sleepwalks. I remember hearing Dr. Rich {Not a real Dr.} of the "Love Doctors" a few years back talking about how HE Sleepwalks. He woke up one time sitting in his car, nude. Thankfully, he said, it was in his garage and he did not have the keys.

You see, when someone is Sleepwalking, it is as if they are "zoned out." You can function, but it is like you are on Auto Pilot. That has happened to me as well. Ever been driving somewhere, and before you know it, you are there, yet have NO memory of the trip? Yup. That is just like Sleepwalking. You can see, differently, but you can see. You can hear, respond, and even navigate to a certain degree, just as if you are awake. But Sleepwalking is harder to snap out of than "zoning out." When you Sleepwalk, you are completely asleep.

So for my Sleepwalking Brethren out there, or those of you who have a Sleepwalker in your family, just be careful. Make sure you take the steps to keep them safe, and please, do not wake them. Just guide them back to bed, and, you know, embarrass them in the morning. {Smile}
Peter

Sources:
E Medicine Health - Sleepwalking
Kids Health - Sleepwalking