Sleepwalking is a parasomnia disorder that affects roughly 3.6% of the adult population. It occurs during deep sleep and can cause people to walk, talk, eat or even drive while still asleep. In this article, we will explore eight important facts about sleepwalking.
1. Sleepwalking usually occurs in children between ages four and eight but can continue into adulthood.
2. Sleepwalking often runs in families, indicating a genetic link to the disorder.
3. Stress, anxiety or lack of sleep can trigger sleepwalking episodes.
4. Sleep deprivation is one of the most common causes of sleepwalking. Ensuring adequate restful sleep may reduce its occurrence.
5. There are several medical conditions associated with sleepwalking such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), restless leg syndrome (RLS), depression, and anxiety disorders among others.
6. Alcohol consumption and use of certain medications like sedatives can increase your risk for nocturnal wandering.
7. During an episode of sleep-walking people’s eyes are typically open but they do not see anything around them clearly because their brain is functioning on autopilot mode
8. Sometimes it’s difficult to differentiate between someone who’s just awake from someone experiencing a bout of night walking; if you witness someone walking around at night without knowing what they’re doing bear in mind it could be an episode of somnambulism.
In conclusion, understanding more about sleep-walking helps us identify triggers and take preventive measures to prevent its occurrence altogether or minimize its severity when it does happen by maintaining good sleeping habits such as getting enough restful hours every day, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime amongst other things that help promote healthy sleeping habits generally speaking!