Do You Suffer From Sleepwalking?

There is nothing more important to your health and well-being than getting a good night’s sleep every night. If you find that you are not getting a good night’s sleep, or are waking up and not feeling as rested as you should, it is likely that you suffer from some type of sleep disorder.

If your sleeping partner or others in your home have noticed that you often get up and wander around in the middle of the night but you do not remember it the next day, it is likely that you suffer from a sleep disorder known as sleepwalking. Sleepwalking is one of the strangest and yet most common sleep disorders out there.

A sleepwalking episode typically occurs during the deep stages of a person's sleep. The sleepwalker is unable to respond to others while sleepwalking and will not remember the episode after they wake up. In some cases, sleepwalking can be associated with incoherent talking and mumbling.

Sleepwalking occurs most often in childhood, but it can also continue on into adulthood. Often when children sleepwalk, they will behave in ways that are inappropriate such as urinating in places around the house. This can cause the child extreme discomfort and embarrassment upon waking up if they are told what they have done.

If you suffer from sleepwalking, it can really have a negative effect on your day to day life and health. It can even be dangerous to yourself and others. If you are suffering from sleepwalking, it is important that you educate yourself about this sleep disorder so that you can determine the best way to deal with it. Read on to find out everything you need to know about sleepwalking.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sleepwalking?

If you are wondering if you suffer from this sleep disorder or not, there are a couple of symptoms which indicate that a person has been sleepwalking. If someone in your family tells you that you got up and walked around in the middle of the night but you do not remember doing so, this could be a sign that you have been sleepwalking.

When a person is sleepwalking, they usually have opened glassy eyes. They will not be able to answer questions that you ask them. They may act in ways that are inappropriate. Sleepwalkers often act as if they are trying to escape from their environment, which is what makes sleepwalking potentially dangerous.

What Causes Sleepwalking?

There is no single known cause of sleepwalking, but there are a variety of factors which can increase your chances of suffering from this sleep disorder. The first cause of sleepwalking is genetics. If someone in your family sleepwalks, it is more likely that you will as well.

Environmental factors can also cause a person to sleepwalk. Sleep deprivation has been associated with sleepwalking. Being stressed out or having a chaotic sleep schedule can also cause a person to sleepwalk. Being intoxicated or using certain drugs can also cause sleepwalking.

The third factor that can cause a person to sleepwalk is if they suffer from certain medical conditions. Abnormal heart rhythms and high fever can both cause a person to sleepwalk. Sleep apnea and night-time asthma is another possible cause. If you suffer from severe anxiety, and have symptoms which include panic attacks, or if you suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, these things can all also cause you to have this disorder.

How Can Sleepwalking Affect Your Day To Day Life?

If you are starting to realize that you do sleepwalk, you are probably wondering how this can affect your health and day to day life. Like any other sleep disorder, the most important effect that sleepwalking can have on your life is that it can affect your quality of sleep. The first way that sleepwalking can negatively affect your life is by preventing you from getting a good and restful night’s sleep.

If you find that you are waking up after a full night’s sleep and still feeling exhausted, it is likely due in part to the sleepwalking. This is bad for your health and can cause numerous diseases and health issues. Another reason that sleepwalking can affect your daily life is that it can be dangerous to both yourself and others.

There have been accounts of people getting out of their home and even driving their car during extreme sleepwalking episodes, which can be very dangerous. This is why it is important for you to find a way to deal with it so that you can improve your sleep, have a better quality of life, and avoid hurting yourself or others.

Last Updated 13 July 2013

Useful References

1. WebMD (Accessed 13 July 2013)

2. Sleep Foundation (Accessed 13 July 2013)

3. MayoClinic (Accessed 13 July 2013)