What Causes Somnambulance?

Somnambulance (sleep walking) is a sleep disorder in which the waking and sleeping states are somewhat blurred. An individual who sleep walks moderately awakens from profound sleep and performs some types of activity. Frequently the activity during sleep is walking, although other complicated activities can also be performed. Somnambulance involves the use of motor acts, such as walking, opening the refrigerator, or even driving a car. Somnambulance usually occurs during the first third part of the night, during the third and fourth stages of sleep. This sleep disorder doesn't occur in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

Causes of somnambulance

The exact cause of somnambulance is unknown. The disorder seems to run in families. Sleep walking usually starts at an early age and diminishes when the child gets older. Approximately 15 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 15 have somnambulance.

Symptoms of somnambulance

The symptoms of somnambulance include:

Appearing to be conscious

Disorientation and confusion when waking during an episode of somnambulance

Lack of coordination

Blank facial expression with eyes open

Performing purposeful acts (like opening a door)

Unintelligible speech

Walking during sleep

Episodes of somnambulance usually last between 5 to 20 minutes. The sleep walker won't remember the episode of activity during sleep. It may be very difficult to wake a person up after an episode of somnambulance.

Diagnosis of somnambulance

Diagnosis of somnambulance starts with taking a medical history as well as doing a physical examination on the patient. A sleep study may not be required. The doctor may order some tests to discover or rule out any underlying disorders. Disorders that may be associated with somnambulance include migraines, fevers, cardiac arrhythmias, nocturnal seizures, nocturnal asthma, obstructive sleep apnea and others.

Treatment for somnambulance

Treatment for somnambulance may include medications for a short time. Certain types of antidepressants and benzodiazepines may be prescribed for 3 to 6 weeks, and then they can usually be gradually discontinued.

If there are other people in the home of the sleep walker, it is important to help him/her get back into bed. It is also important to protect the person from becoming injured or having accidents. For instance, if there are toys around, they should be moved out of the path of the sleep walker.

It may be helpful to keep a log of when the individual starts to sleep walk. After a few nights of logging the times he/she gets out of bed during sleep, you may awaken the person a few minutes prior to the normal time of sleep walking. Keep him/her awake for about 5 minutes. The doctor may suggest that the person be awakened every night at the same time for about 7 days. The cycle of sleep walking should diminish; if the person begins sleep walking again, you may be instructed to repeat the waking cycle for another week.

Conclusion

There is no sure way to prevent somnambulance; though the doctor may suggest the following things to help decrease the frequency of the episodes:

Avoid recreational drug use

Avoid pain medications, sleeping pills and tranquilizers

Keep a scheduled bedtime and waking schedule

Avoid or limit the use of alcohol

Learn relaxation techniques to reduce stress

Somnambulance has no long-term effects. After having treatment for sleep walking, the individual or the family of the individual should carry on to follow protective measures to prevent or diminish the episodes of somnambulance.

Sources:

Somnambulance

EMedicine