Sleep walking Health Article

Symptoms

• Eyes open during sleep
• May have blank look on face
• May sit up and appear awake during sleep
• Walking during sleep
• Other detailed activity of any type during sleep
• Not remembering the sleep walking episode upon awakening
• Confused, disoriented upon awakening
• Sleep talking does not make sense

Signs and tests

Usually, people won't need further examinations and testing. If the sleep walking occurs often, the doctor may do an exam to rule out other disorders (such as partial complex seizures). If you have a history of emotional problems, you also may need to have a psychological evaluation to look for causes such as excessive anxiety or stress. Or, you may need to have a medical exam to rule out other causes.

Treatment

Most people don't need any specific treatment for sleep walking.

Safety measures may be needed to prevent injury. This may include changing the area by moving objects such as electrical cords or furniture to reduce the chances of tripping and falling. You may need to block off stairways with a gate.

In some cases, short-acting tranquilizers have been helpful in reducing sleep walking episodes.

Expectations (prognosis)

Sleep walking may or may not reduce with age. It usually does not indicate a serious disorder, although it can be a symptom of other disorders.

Complications

A complication is getting injured while sleep walking.

Calling your health care provider

You probably won't need to visit your health care provider if you are sleep walking. However, discuss the condition with your doctor if:

• You also have other symptoms
• Sleep walking is frequent or persistent
• You perform potentially dangerous activities (such as driving) while sleep walking

Prevention

• Avoid the use of alcohol or central nervous system depressants if you sleep walk.
• Avoid getting too tired and try to prevent insomnia, because this can trigger a sleep walking episode.
• Avoid or minimize stress, anxiety, and conflict, which can worsen the condition.