Many people
suffer from the problem of sleepwalking also known as Somnambulism.
Sleepwalking usually happens in the first few hours of sleep in the stage
called slow-wave or deep sleep. It is a kind of sleep disorder that is initiated
during slow wave sleep which outcome in walking during sleep. Not all
sleepwalkers actually walk. Some simply sit up or stand in bed or act like
they're awake. Sleepwalkers' eyes are open, but they don't see the same way
they do when they're awake. Occasional sleepwalking isn't a big deal, just you
need to take precautions so that you don't fall down, run into something, or
walk out the front door while sleepwalking. However frequent sleepwalking is
serious and you must see doctor for proper treatment.
Causes include:
-
Lack
of sleep
-
Genetic
factor
-
Anxiety
-
Mental
disorders
-
Reactions
to drugs and alcohol
-
Pregnancy and menstruation are known to
increase the frequency of sleepwalking.
-
Medical
conditions like nighttime asthma
-
Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
-
A
cause of sleepwalking among children is unknown and in elders sleep walking may
be a symptom of an organic brain syndrome or REM behavior disorders.