Sleep Walking

Sleepwalking, or ‘somnambulism' is common in childhood affecting up to 1/10 children at some time. It typically occurs in the early part of the night and is characterized by semi-purposeful activity with eyes open. Older sleep walkers may engage in complex activities such as preparing food, or may unlock the door and leave the house. If woken they have no memory of this activity and are confused and anxious. If gently steered back to bed they will generally resettle easily with no fuss.

It is important to differentiate sleep walking from other problems such as certain types of seizures and REM behaviour disorder. This is usually possible on history alone although sometimes a sleep study may be advised.

Sleep walking may run in families but is also associated with sleep deprivation, illness, certain medications, stress and sleeping in a new environment.

Usually the only treatment required is reassurance and ensuring that the environment is safe. Occasionally medication is used in the short term.

 

 

 

Night Terrors

Night terrors are common in young children but can occur in adolescents and adults. The child awakes suddenly from deep sleep and appears terrified. They are likely to be pale with a raised heart rate and may cry or scream. Despite appearance they are still in a parital sleep state and will have absolutely no recollection of the event. If awoken by parents, children may appear confused and anxious. Usually there is no obvious cause for a night terror although in children who are prone to these episodes sleep deprivation, certain medication and stress may make them worse.

Night terrors are generally alarming for the observer but are not a problem for the sufferer. If night terrors are infrequent they require no treatment. When they become frequent and troublesome advice and treatment may be required .

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is caused by a sudden burst of excess electrical activity in the brain. There are many different types of seizures depending on the part of the brain affected. Partial seizures involve only a part of the brain, while generalised seizures involve the whole brain.

Epilepsy and sleep are inter-linked in a number of ways. Firstly some people with epilepsy are more vulnerable to having seizures at night. Secondly sleep deprivation is a powerful stimulus for seizures so that any sleep disorders may increase a person's chance of having a seizure. Finally there are a number of sleep disorders that may be confused with epilepsy and vice versa. Usually a good clinical history taken by a doctor experienced in epilepsy will differentiate sleep disorders from epilepsy but sometimes it is necessary to perform a sleep study and full EEG to determine what is actually happening in the brain when the person is exhibiting their sleep behaviour.