Sleepwalking (also known as somnambulism) is an abnormal sleep behaviour that can affect around 30% of the population at some point or another. Most episodes last between 5-10 minutes and usually involve mumbling incoherently, wandering around the house or opening eyes and appearing to be awake, while others might last longer and see the sufferer get creative in the kitchen or take a ride around the block.
Sleepwalking can begin at any point in life, and there is some evidence to suggest that there is a strong genetic and family link to getting it. While the exact causes of sleepwalking can vary from person to person, it is generally thought that the following factors can exacerbate the problem:
- Sleep deprivation
- Stress
- Fever
- Interrupted sleep schedule
- Sleep apnoea
- Medication
- Alcohol
- Restless legs syndrome
Occurring during the deepest stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, sleepwalking can sometimes go hand in hand with sleep terrors and sleep talking. Episodes usually happen between 1-2 hours after falling asleep. Usually, children grow out of sleepwalking habits by the time they reach their teens, however ongoing sleepwalking may indicate an underlying sleep disorder that may need addressing.
If sleepwalking is happening more than one to two times per week or several times a night and is leading to some dangerous behaviours, it is worth speaking to a medical professional to diagnose the issue as it could lead to prolonged sleep disruption and injuries.
So, while it might be highly amusing that your loved one decided to make themselves beans on toast in the middle of their snooze last night, it can also be a sign that you need to get them checked out by a professional.
Using a sleep monitor or sleep tracker will help you to collect data on your nightly movements which will be useful in analysing your sleep habits.
If you would like to find out more about how the REM-Fit Sleep 400 Mattress, REM-Fit Sleep Monitoring technology or Zeeq Smart Pillows can help you to get a better night’s rest, please get in touch with our experienced, knowledgeable staff by calling 020 8731 0020 or email us via sales@rem-fit.co.uk.
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