Sleep Paralysis and Sleep Walking
Sleep Paralysis and Sleep Walking
Sleep Paralysis and Sleep Walking
SLEEP WALKING
Sleep paralysis and sleep walking are both
totally different phenomena which are
categorized under sleeping disorders.
SLEEP CYCLE:
In order to understand sleepwalking and
sleep paralysis, the sleep cycle must be
introduced because sleeping disorders are
dependent on their occurrence and time of
occurrence.
When you sleep, your brain goes through
natural cycles of activity. There are four
total stages of sleep, divided into two
phases:
for 5 to 10 minutes.
SLEEPWALKING
Sleep walking is an act of getting up and
waking around while asleep.It is also
known as somnambulism.It is a sleeping
disturbance that occurs in the deepest
part of NON-REM phase of sleep.It most
often occurs within 1 to 2 hours of
falling asleep. During an episode of
sleepwalking one might sit up,walk around
and even perform ordinary activities-all
while sleeping.
●Illness or fever.
●Certain medications, such as sleeping
pills.
●Stress, anxiety.
●Going to bed with full bladder.
●Noises or touches.
●Changes in sleep environment or
different sleep setting (example: a
hotel).
●Migraines.
●Head injuries.
DIAGNOSIS:
Sleep walking is generally self
diagnosable and noticeable by fellow
family members or partners, in order to
check it’s severity following tests might
be taken:
●Physical exam. Your doctor may do a
physical exam to identify any
conditions that may be confused
with sleepwalking, such as
nighttime seizures, other sleep
disorders or panic attacks.
●Discussion of your symptoms. Unless
you live alone and are unaware of
your sleepwalking, you'll likely
be told by others that you
sleepwalk. If your sleep partner
comes with you to the appointment,
your doctor may ask him or her
whether you appear to sleepwalk.
Your doctor may also ask you and
your partner to fill out a
questionnaire about your sleep
behaviors. Tell your doctor if you
have a family history of
sleepwalking.
●Nocturnal sleep study
(polysomnography). In some cases,
your doctor may recommend an
overnight study in a sleep lab.
Sensors placed on your body will
record and monitor your brain
waves, the oxygen level in your
blood, heart rate and breathing,
as well as eye and leg movements
while you sleep. You may be
videotaped to document your
behavior during sleep cycles.
TREATMENT:
Treatment for occasional sleepwalking
usually isn't necessary. In children who
sleepwalk, it typically goes away by the
teen years.
If sleepwalking leads to the potential
for injury, is disruptive to family
members, or results in embarrassment or
sleep disruption for the person who
sleepwalks, treatment may be needed.
Treatment generally focuses on promoting
safety and eliminating causes or
triggers.
DIAGNOSIS:
Generally sleep paralysis is self-
diagnosable but to prescribe medication
and investigation of a severe problem
following tests might be conducted.
TREATMENT:
There are no proven therapies that can
stop a sleep paralysis episode, but most
people who experience it routinely report
that focusing on making small body
movements (such as moving one finger,
then another) helps them to recover more
quickly.
PREVENTION OF PARASOMNIA:
Many people who suffer from parasomnias
see an improvement in their symptoms
symptoms.
A person should seek treatment whenever
BIBLIOGRAPHY
my.clevelandclinic.org
www.mayoclinic.org
www.simplypsychology.org
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov