What does dreamwalking mean? 5 steps to prevent sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is also known as somnambulism. Sleepwalking is known as a sleep disorder. Sleepwalking people can walk while sleeping, or perform some common actions such as: eating, dressing, driving,...
Sleepwalking usually occurs about one to two hours after falling asleep. and they usually last about 30 minutes. Sleepwalkers will have blank facial expressions and open eyes, which can make many people feel scared or anxious. These people are difficult to wake up, but when they do, they may not remember what they did the night before.

Experts estimate the prevalence of sleepwalking at about 1-15% of the population. The disease is most common in children, especially between the ages of 3-7 years. In children, the disease is associated with bedwetting. This disorder will go away and get better after the child is older, when the child's nervous system has matured and the child can sleep through the night. According to Sleep, up to 29% of children aged 2-13 experience sleepwalking and 4% of adults suffer from it.
Sleepwalking may persist into adulthood or present late in older adults. The cause of the disease can vary from person to person. Common causes of this disorder are physical and mental stressors, noisy sleeping environments or traveling across multiple time zones, and especially lack of sleep. Other possible triggers include sleep apnea and prescription sleeping pills.
Sleepwalking is part of arousal disorders. In addition, it may be accompanied by confused stimuli such as: waking up without memory, sleep terrors, waking up with intense screams,... All of these types can occur in adults. and young children, but mostly in children.

In most cases sleepwalking is harmless but in some cases sleepwalking can be harmful to themselves and those around them. If you or a loved one suffers from sleepwalking, steps should be taken to prevent it:
Start by focusing on your sleep habits and make it a habit to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Make sure there is a "power off hour" before hitting the pillow. Find ways to relax during the day. Try taking a warm bath and reading a light book. Create a safe environment, especially for sleepwalking children. Remove sharp objects, lock doors and windows, install gates on stairs. Door alarms can often be helpful. Ask your doctor about other options if the problem persists.

In cases where sleepwalking is caused by a pre-existing medical condition, when the underlying condition is treated, sleepwalking will also disappear, such as:
Gastroesophageal reflux Obstruction of sleep apnea Seizures Recurring leg movements or restless legs syndrome Medication may be needed if the sleepwalker is at risk of injury, if the sleepwalking causes significant disruption in the family or excessive daytime sleepiness, and when other treatment options don't work.
Your doctor can prescribe you a number of helpful medications including:
Estazolam Clonazepam ( Klonopin ) Trazodone (Oleptro) It is usually possible to stop the medication after a few weeks without recurrent sleepwalking. Sometimes, sleepwalking increases shortly after stopping the medication.

Relaxation techniques, mental visualization, and anticipatory awakening are the preferred treatment options for long-term treatment of people with sleepwalking disorder. Anticipatory awakening involves waking the child or person about 15-20 minutes before the usual time of sleepwalking, and then keeping them awake during the time that sleepwalking would normally occur.
Relaxation techniques and mental imagery are most effective when performed with the help of an experienced behavioral therapist or hypnotherapist.
Follow up with your sleep disorder specialist if symptoms persist, or if injury to yourself or to others occurs.
Sleepwalking can cause injuries to the patient, so to ensure safety first, it is necessary to correct abnormal movements during sleep as well as sharp objects that can cause injury. Once the condition becomes severe, it is best to take the patient to medical centers to receive help from specialists. In addition, you need to improve your sleep, as they have the ability to improve your overall health.
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References: webmd.com, health.clevelandclinic.org