Somnambulist

Someone who walks about in their sleep.

Clinical features

Noctambulism, often known as sleepwalking, is a sleep disorder characterized by the execution of complicated behaviors during sleep. These activities, which can include walking, chatting, and even eating, typically occur in the first portion of the night. It is believed that noctambulism is caused by a failure in the brain's ability to regulate the transition between awake and sleep, although this is not fully understood.

Noctambulism

Noctambulism is a reasonably common sleep disorder, affecting up to 17% of children and 3-4% of adults. It affects children more frequently than adults and tends to run in families. People with other sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, are also more likely to develop this condition.

Symptoms

Symptoms of noctambulism include walking or engaging in other activities while asleep, bewilderment or disorientation upon awakening, and trouble recalling the incident. In certain instances, sleepwalkers may also have night terrors, which are episodes characterized by acute fear or anxiety.

Diagnosis

A sleep specialist or neurologist would often diagnose noctambulism after conducting a thorough medical history and physical examination. The sleep specialist may also propose a polysomnogram, often known as a sleep study, to further analyze the patient's sleep patterns.

Treatment

Typically, noctambulism is treated with a mix of lifestyle modifications and medicine. Changes in lifestyle may include maintaining a regular sleep pattern, avoiding alcohol and certain sleep-disrupting drugs, and establishing a safe sleeping environment (e.g. locking windows and doors, removing obstacles from the bedroom). Medications such as benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants are occasionally used to treat noctambulism, although they are not always helpful and might cause unwanted side effects.

Prevention

Important to treatment is the prevention of sleepwalking episodes, which can be dangerous for the individual and others. This includes creating a regular sleep routine and ensuring a safe resting environment.

Summary

Noctambulism a sleep disorder defined by the performance of complicated behaviors during sleep. It is moderately widespread, more prevalent in children, and genetically determined. A sleep specialist or neurologist makes the diagnosis, and the therapy is a combination of lifestyle adjustments and medication. Sleepwalking is a disorder that cannot be ignored, and it is essential to seek expert assistance

References

1. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2021). Sleepwalking (Noctambulism). Retrieved from https://www.aasm.org/patient-resources/sleepwalking/
2. National Sleep Foundation. (2021). Sleepwalking. Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/other-sleep-disorders/sleepwalking
3. MedlinePlus. (2021). Sleepwalking. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/sleepwalking.html
4. National Institutes of Health. (2021). Sleepwalking (Noctambulism). Retrieved from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleepwalking
5. Schenck CH, Mahowald MW. (2002). Sleepwalking, sleep terrors, and confusional arousals. In: Kryger MH, Roth T, Dement WC, eds. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; pp. 586–600.

Somnambulist Resources
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