Strategies for Handling Sleepwalking Incidents in Yourself or Others
No need to panic, it's not some creepy nightmare scenario - it's your significant other having a late-night stroll around the house. Yup, you've got a bona fide sleepwalker on your hands.
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You might be wondering what the heck is going on when your loved one walks around with glazed-over eyes, seemingly oblivious to the world around them. Well, they're having a sleepwalking episode, also known as somnambulism. Some sleepwalkers might just sit up in bed and limp their legs, while others can get up and do everyday tasks like dressing, eating, or even driving!
"A sleepwalking person seems to walk or move as if they're awake, but they're actually in a state of partial wakefulness from the deep sleep cycle," explains sleep specialist Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer, DO, MS. Sleepwalking episodes often occur one or two hours after going to bed and can last anywhere from one minute to 30 minutes.
Now, you could be thinking that their open eyes and blank facial expressions are downright chilling. It's tough to rouse them, but rest assured, they won't remember a thing about their nighttime antics.
Common Causes of Sleepwalking
Sleep research isn't exactly on the cutting edge, but scientists believe sleepwalking occurs because the brain has trouble regulating the sleep-wake cycle. In children, sleepwalking is pretty common and often linked to bedwetting. It usually goes away as kids grow older. However, if sleepwalking persists into adulthood or suddenly appears later in life, there could be additional factors at play. Stress, excessive sleep deprivation, noisy sleeping environments, prescription sleep medication, sleep apnea, or even genetics could trigger the episodes.
What to Do About Sleepwalking
Most of the time, sleepwalking is harmless, but there's always the chance someone could hurt themselves or others. If you or a loved one is sleepwalking, consulting a doctor is important to decide if further investigation is necessary.
To prevent sleepwalking, focus on good sleep hygiene. Stick to a regular sleep schedule, avoid sleep aids, caffeine, and alcohol before bed, keep the room quiet and dark, and make others aware of your sleepwalking. To prevent accidents, lock doors and windows, install stairway gates, take sharp objects off the ground, and keep small children out of top bunks.
When you see someone sleepwalking, don't shake them awake like a Hollywood horror flick. Speak quietly, use a gentle tone, and guide them back to bed. Loud noises might confuse or scare them.
If there's a history of injury during sleepwalking episodes, it might be worth consulting a sleep specialist. Sometimes, sleep medicine doctors prescribe certain medications to alter the sleep cycle and prevent abnormal movements.
Remember, getting a good night's sleep is key to overall health. If you or someone you love is sleepwalking, talk to your doc about your concerns.
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- Being aware that sleepwalking is a complex issue with various causes, maintaining good health-and-wellness habits such as regular sleep schedules, avoiding sleep aids, caffeine, and alcohol before bed, and creating a quiet and dark sleeping environment might help minimize sleepwalking episodes.
- Similarly, individuals who have a history of sleepwalking-related injuries could benefit from consulting a sleep specialist, who may prescribe certain medications to alter their sleep cycle and prevent abnormal movements, contributing to their overall health.
- In the event of encountering a sleepwalker, it's important to follow a calm approach, speaking softly, using a gentle tone, and guiding them back to bed, avoiding loud noises that could confuse or scare them, ensuring their safety and the environment's.
