Do you or a loved one sleepwalk?

sleepwalkerSleepwalking can go undiagnosed for years if no one is there to witness the events. The sleepwalker may notice things in their home seem to be moved or left out but not correlate it to sleep events and even rather to possible memory issues. They also make awaken tired, feeling as if they really got no sleep, again this can be miss-assigned to other problems.

When there is a second set of eyes in the home to witness the nocturnal events taking place they generally do not go unnoticed.

Sleepwalking has been genetically linked. If you have other members of your family that do it, it is 10x more likely that you may as well. Other than genetics, there are a few things that can induce sleepwalking incidents artificially. They include: being sleep deprived, not having a normalized sleep schedule, living in a stressful environment that doesn’t seem to be resolving itself, drinking excessively, or taking prescription medications (sedatives, neuroleptics, stimulants and even antihistamines).

Certain medical conditions have also been linked to sleepwalking. They may include, but are not limited to:

  • Heart Problems
  • Heartburn
  • Fever
  • Nighttime asthma
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Psychiatric disorders (dissociative states, multiple personality disorder, panic attacks, PTSD)
  • Restless leg syndrome

If you do sleepwalk, or a loved one sleepwalks, most important is to keep a safe environment. Lock doors and windows, place an alarm bell on the bedroom door, sleep on the ground floor, limit stress and meditate or take part in relaxation exercises. If sleepwalker is extreme, locking up car keys and sharp objects may also be a good idea.

Living with a sleepwalker can be disarming. They are erratic and you never know exactly what to expect, if an event will happen or you will get a good night’s rest. Getting help is key for all involved to be able to live a rested peaceful life.

Sleep studies can be done to diagnose the exact issue. The condition can generally be treated fairly effectively with relaxation techniques and or certain medications.

To find a sleep specialist in Lee County, Florida please visit the Independent Physicians Association of Lee County by visiting www.ipalc.org/find.

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