Sleepwalking, or somnambulism in Latin, means "sleepwalking". Sleepwalking is quite common in children, and in most cases resolves by the age of 15. In 5% of children, a permanent form of sleepwalking occurs, and isolated cases are recorded in 30% of children. Rare cases of sleepwalking in adults have been described. Somnambulism is accompanied by unconscious actions during sleep. Why is sleepwalking more common in children? What are the reasons for the development of sleepwalking, read in our article.

When and why does sleepwalking develop in children?

The first signs of sleepwalking appear after 6 years. Many scientists believe that the reason for the development of somnambulism is a large amount of information that has entered the child's brain. Information processing continues during sleep, causing brain activity.

As you know, human sleep has several stages, including REM and non-REM sleep. The non-REM phase occurs about an hour and a half after falling asleep. The mechanism of the development of sleepwalking lies in the uneven distribution of inhibition processes in the brain. Thus, the coordinating motor functions are in a state of shallow inhibition. As a result, one part of the brain is in a state of sleep during sleep, while the other part is awake, because of which the body also wakes up.

What are the reasons that provoke the development of sleepwalking in children?

Scientists have long been interested in the phenomenon of sleepwalking and finding out the causes of somnambulism. Recently, American scientists discovered a part of the 20th chromosome in DNA, which is responsible for the development of sleepwalking. Its presence in the chromosome increases the risk of sleepwalking by 50%. Unfortunately, it was not possible to establish a specific gene that determines the tendency to somnambulism. The activity of the manifestation of sleepwalking depends on the activity of the magnetic field. There are factors that contribute to the development of sleepwalking.

Factors contributing to the development of sleepwalking:

  • Anxiety and emotional stress in children.
  • The child's violent reaction to stress, quarrel, conflict.
  • Tranio-cerebral injury.
  • History of neuroinfections.
  • Worm infestations.
  • Incompletely formed nervous system in children.
  • Sleep disturbance.
  • Intense workload at school and extracurricular activities.
  • Epilepsy.

How does sleepwalking manifest itself? What happens to a child with somnambulism?

During sleep, the child gets out of bed, performs complex actions – dresses, moves things, leaves the apartment. In the morning the child does not remember these actions. In this case, the child must be gently awakened so as not to frighten him, and put back to sleep. Such walks of the child are dangerous because of the possibility of getting a strong fright, and also in this state the child can jump out of the window. Often the child stumbles over pieces of furniture and is injured. During sleepwalking, the child's eyes are open, the pupils are constricted, the gaze is frozen, the expression on the face is indifferent. The sleepwalker does not respond to being addressed. When the child is awakened, he becomes confused and disoriented.

What should I do if my child is diagnosed with sleepwalking?

Sleepwalking lasts from 15 minutes to an hour, after which the child returns to bed on his own to normal sleep. Also, manifestations of somnambulism are considered the pronunciation of words in a dream when the child sleeps with his eyes open or falls asleep in a sitting position.

If a child is diagnosed with sleepwalking, it is important to consult a psychoneurologist to rule out an organic pathology of the nervous system. Experts believe that sleepwalking does not require treatment, since the factors that contribute to somnambulism do not traumatize the psyche with age.

 For the fastest reduction and disappearance of sleepwalking episodes, it is recommended:

  • protect the child from stressful situations and experiences;
  • it is important to ensure a good sleep for the child;
  • be sure to ensure a quiet time before bedtime, not using active games or watching TV;
  • A soothing bath before bedtime has a calming effect.

Thus, if sleepwalking is detected in a child, it is necessary, in addition to consulting a neurologist, to establish relations in the family to create comfort for the child.

Add a comment

captcha

RefreshRefresh