Sleepwalking and talking
Sleepwalking and talking are considered parasomnias, which are abnormal behaviors that arise out of sleep from the nervous system.
Sleep talking is something that's common and isn't something that needs to be investigated further by a physician through sleep studies.
Sleepwalking is also very common among children and tends to dissipate as the child gets older. If an adult is experiencing sleepwalking then it may be a sign that they're dealing with another sleep disorder that's triggering it.
Why is sleepwalking more common in children?
Sleepwalking tends to happen when you're in a stage of deep deep sleep. Children tend to go into that stage more as that's the time when they're growing and developing. When a child becomes aroused in that stage, they tend to wander off since they aren't aware of what they're doing. As you age, you don't go into the stage of reaching that deep sleep, which is why sleepwalking is less common in adults.
Is sleepwalking preventable?
There isn't a cure or treatment for sleepwalking, but there are some changes you can make to your sleep routine that might help such as:
- Improving your sleep hygiene
- Ask your provider if it may be from any medications you're taking
- Let your provider know if you're stressed or fatigue, both of which may trigger symptoms
- Hypnosis may be an option for adults
Keep the surrounding environment safe
Since sleepwalkers aren't aware that they're sleepwalking, they also won't know when they're in danger of hurting themselves. It's important to make the area where you sleepwalk safe which is possible through some simple steps:
- Move furniture and cords to prevent falls
- Keep all doors and windows locked
- Put a gate across stairways
- Don't shake a sleepwalker to wake them up, simply guide them back to bed
When to see a doctor
While sleepwalking isn't something that's too worrisome, it may start causing you physical or emotional damage, which is when you'd want to contact a physician.
Some examples of when you should think about seeing a doctor:
- Increased fatigue from the lack of sleep during the day
- You're starting to have attention problems
- Despite making the surrounding environment safe, you're getting hurt from bumping into things or falling
Tired of not getting a good night's sleep?
Make an appointment with a primary care provider and ask for a referral to Dr. Scott Johnson at Crossing Rivers Health Center for Specialty Care.