Sleepwalking â also known as somnambulism â involves getting up and walking around while in a state of sleep. More common in children than adults, sleepwalking is usually outgrown by the teen years. Isolated incidents of sleepwalking often don't signal any serious problems or require treatment. However, recurrent sleepwalking may suggest an underlying sleep disorder.
Sleepwalking in adults has a higher chance of being confused with or coexisting with other sleep disorders as well as medical conditions.
If anyone in your household sleepwalks, it's important to protect him or her from potential injuries related to sleepwalking.
Sleepwalking care at Mayo Clinic
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Sleepwalking usually occurs early in the night â often one to two hours after falling asleep. It's unlikely to occur during naps. A sleepwalking episode can occur rarely or often, and an episode generally lasts several minutes, but can last longer.
Someone who is sleepwalking may:
Sometimes, a person who is sleepwalking will:
Occasional episodes of sleepwalking aren't usually a cause for concern and typically resolve on their own. You can simply mention the sleepwalking at a routine physical or well-child exam. However, consult your doctor if the sleepwalking episodes:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Sleepwalking is classified as a parasomnia â an undesirable behavior or experience during sleep. Sleepwalking is a disorder of arousal, meaning it occurs during N3 sleep, the deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Another NREM disorder is sleep terrors, which can occur together with sleepwalking.
Many factors can contribute to sleepwalking, including:
Sometimes sleepwalking can by triggered by underlying conditions that interfere with sleep, such as:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
To diagnose sleepwalking, your doctor reviews your medical history and your symptoms. Your evaluation may include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Sleepwalking itself isn't necessarily a concern, but a person who sleepwalks can:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
If sleepwalking is a problem for you or your child, try these suggestions.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Factors that may increase the risk of sleepwalking include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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