The Problem of Sleepwalking
The Problem of Sleepwalking in a Long Overview
Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is an interesting and sometimes worrying sleep disorder. Here's a detailed look at this tendency:
Table of Contents
The Problem of Sleepwalking in a Long Overview.. 1
Characteristics and Symptoms: 2
Causes and contributing factors: 2
Factors that increase the likelihood: 2
Possible Risks and Complications: 3
When to Seek Medical Advice: 3
What to Do If You Encounter a Sleepwalker: 3
Detailed Information on Narcolepsy. 3
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS): 4
What is sleepwalking?
- Sleepwalking is a parasomnia, which means it's an unwanted behavior or experience during sleep.
- It occurs during deep, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, specifically N3 sleep. This is why it usually appears during the first few hours of sleep.
- It involves a complex mix of behaviours when a person is in a state of reduced consciousness.
Characteristics and Symptoms:
Behaviours:
- Getting out of bed and moving around.
- Performing routine activities (dressing, eating).
- Performing complex tasks (moving furniture, even driving a car in rare cases).
- Having open eyes and a "glassy" or blank stare.
- Not responding to others or speaking incoherently.
Other symptoms:
- Lack of memory of the episode.
- Confusion or disorientation upon awakening during an episode.
- Occasionally, sleepwalking and night terrors are experienced.
Causes and contributing factors:
Deep NREM sleep:
- Sleepwalking is caused by interruptions during the arousal phase of deep sleep.
Factors that increase the likelihood:
- Genetics: Sleepwalking is passed down from parents to children.
- Age: It is more common in children, often well into their teens.
- Lack of sleep: Not getting enough sleep can trigger episodes.
- Stress and anxiety: Emotional factors can play a role.
- Fever: Especially in children, fever can trigger sleepwalking.
- Other sleep disorders: such as insomnia or restless legs syndrome.
- Certain medications: Some medications can contribute to sleepwalking.
- Alcohol and other substance use: can disrupt sleep patterns.
- Medical Conditions: In some cases, underlying medical conditions may be a factor.
Possible Risks and Complications:
Injury:
- The greatest risk is injury from falls, collisions, or other accidents.
- Complex activities, such as driving, pose a significant risk.
Sleep Disorders:
- Sleepwalking can cause poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.
Emotional Distress:
- Frequent episodes can cause anxiety and embarrassment.
When to Seek Medical Advice:
-
- Recurrent or recurring episodes.
- Sleepwalking that causes injury.
- Concerns about underlying medical conditions.
- Sleepwalking that begins in adolescence.
- If sleepwalking disturbs the sleep of others.
What to Do If You Encounter a Sleepwalker:
-
- Gently guide them back to bed.
- Avoid startling them, as this can cause confusion or agitation.
- Prioritize your safety by eliminating potential threats.
Important note: It is important to distinguish sleepwalking from other sleep disorders or medical conditions. If you have concerns, consult a healthcare professional or sleep specialist.
Links:
Sleepwalking - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Detailed Information on Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that disrupts the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. This causes excessive daytime sleepiness and a host of other symptoms that can significantly impact a person's life. Here's a more detailed look:
Key Features:
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS):
- This is a symbolic sign. People with narcolepsy feel extremely sleepy during the day, even after getting enough sleep at night.
- "Sleep attacks" may occur, in which people suddenly fall asleep without warning, even during activities such as driving or eating.
Cataplexy:
- Involves sudden, brief episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis, often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, excitement, or anger.
- Its severity can range from mild weakness in the knees to complete collapse.
- This is a very disturbing and sometimes frightening symptom.
Sleep paralysis:
- This is a temporary inability to move or speak while asleep or awake.
- It can be accompanied by hallucinations and be very painful.
Hypnagogic hallucinations:
- These are vivid, dream-like hallucinations that occur during sleep.
- They can be very realistic and sometimes frightening.
Fragmented nighttime sleep:
- Despite daytime sleepiness, addicts often have disrupted sleep during the night, with frequent awakenings.
Types of narcolepsy:
Narcolepsy type 1:
- This type is characterized by cataplexy and a deficiency of hypocretin (orexin), a brain chemical that regulates wakefulness.
Narcolepsy type 2:
- This type involves excessive daytime sleepiness but without cataplexy. Hypocretin levels are usually normal.
Reasons:
-
- The exact cause of narcolepsy is not fully understood.
- In narcolepsy type 1, the loss of hypocretin-producing cells in the brain is thought to be caused by an autoimmune process.
- Genetic factors may also play a role.
Diagnosis:
-
- Diagnosis usually includes a combination of:
- A detailed medical history and sleep evaluation.
- Overnight polysomnogram (PSG) to monitor sleep patterns.
- Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) to measure daytime sleepiness and the tendency to enter REM sleep.
Treatment:
-
- There is no cure for narcolepsy, but treatment can help control symptoms.
Medications:
- Motivations to promote awareness.
- Sodium oxybate to improve nighttime sleep and reduce cataplexy.
- Antidepressants can be used to treat cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.
Lifestyle Changes:
- Regular sleep schedule.
- Planned naps.
- Healthy diet and exercise.
Effect:
- Narcolepsy can significantly affect a person's quality of life, affecting their:
- Work or school performance.
- Relationships.
- Safety (especially when driving).
- It is important for people experiencing symptoms of addictive disorders to seek medical evaluation from a sleep specialist.
Sources and related...
