What is sleepwalking and is there a way to stop this from happening to you or a child?

Sleepwalking is actually a fairly common disorder in children; however, it is possible for adults to sleepwalk, too. The problem is that these evening antics wandering around the house can lead to injury or it may be a warning sign to our Columbia, SC, sleep physicians that you could have an underlying medical condition that’s causing this problem.

If you have a family of sleepwalkers, then you may also be more likely to sleepwalk yourself. Of course, there are certain lifestyle factors that can make it more likely for you to sleepwalk. Those on nightshift or weird sleep schedules, as well as those who take certain medications (e.g. sedatives; stimulants) or are under the influence of alcohol may be prone to sleepwalking.

Of course, sleepwalking is also more likely in those with these medical problems,

  • Heart rhythm disorders
  • Asthma
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Anxiety disorders

Seeing a Sleep Specialist

If you are suddenly dealing with a bout of sleepwalking, this warrants visiting a sleep specialist. After all, certain conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea require additional treatment to prevent potentially serious health complications down the road. By determining the cause of your sleepwalking, we can also make sure that you get the care you need.

When you come into our office, we will ask you questions about the symptoms you are experiencing. From there, we may recommend certain tests such as a sleep study to confirm sleepwalking.

Treating Sleepwalking

If you or a loved one experiences minor bouts of sleepwalking that occur infrequently then treatment may not be necessary; however, there are several ways to manage your sleepwalking. For one, it’s important to eliminate any potential risks in the house that could cause a sleepwalker to fall, trip or get hurt.

If any underlying medical conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea is to blame, our sleep specialists here at Bogan Sleep Consultants can provide you with the proper medication and treatment options to improve the underlying medical condition. This in turn should improve your sleepwalking.

Other treatment options include,

  • Talking with your doctor about any medications you are currently taking to see if they could be causing your symptoms
  • Antidepressants and even melatonin
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy to alleviate stress, which can improve stress-induced sleepwalking
  • Altering and improving your current sleep habits (making sure you are getting enough sleep and that you are going to bed at the same time every night)

Do you have questions about sleepwalking? If you are concerned about your current sleep habits or are having trouble with your sleep, turn to our sleep specialist Dr. Richard Bogan in Columbia, SC, for a better night’s sleep. Call Bogan Sleep Consultants today at (803) 251-3093.