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Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking Overview

Sleepwalking has been described in medical literature dating before Hippocrates (460 BC-370 BC). In Shakespeare's tragic play, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth's famous sleepwalking scene ("out, damned spot") is ascribed to her guilt and resulting insanity as a consequence of her involvement in the murder of her father-in-law.

Sleepwalking is characterized by complex behavior (walking) accomplished while asleep. Occasionally nonsensical talking may occur while sleepwalking. The person's eyes are commonly open but have a characteristic glassy "look right through you" character. This activity most commonly occurs during middle childhood and young adolescence. Approximately 15% of children between 4-12 years of age will experience sleepwalking. Generally sleepwalking behaviors are resolved by late adolescence; however, approximately 10% of all sleepwalkers begin their behavior as teens. A genetic tendency has been noted.

There are five stages of sleep. Stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 are characterized as non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is the sleep cycle associated with dreaming as well as surges of important hormones essential for proper growth and metabolism. Each sleep cycle (stages 1,2,3,4, and REM) lasts about 90-100 minutes and repeats throughout the night. Thus the average person experiences 4-5 complete sleep cycles per night. Sleepwalking characteristically occurs during the first or second sleep cycle during stages 3 and 4. Due to the short time frame involved, sleepwalking tends not to occur during naps. Upon waking, the sleepwalker has no memory of his behaviors.



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Somnambulism (Sleep Walking) »

Somnambulism (ie, sleepwalking) is a disorder of arousal that falls under the parasomnia group.

Read More on eMedicine »

Sleepwalking

Circadian Rhythm Disorder Overview

A person's circadian rhythm is an internal biological clock that regulates a variety of biological processes according to an approximate 24-hour period. Most of a person's body systems demonstrate circadian variations. The body systems with the most prominent circadian variations are the sleep-wake cycle, the temperature regulation system, and the endocrine system.

The malfunctioning of a person's circadian system, or biological clock, causes circadian rhythm disorders. The circadian rhythm disorder related to the sleep-wake cycle can be categorized into the following 2 main groups:

  • Transient disorders

    • Jet lag

    • Altered sleep schedule due to work hours or social responsibilities  

    • Illness
       
  • Chronic disorders

    • Delayed sleep-phase syndrome (DSPS)  

      • DSPS is characterized by a persistent (that is, lasting longer ...



Read the Sleeplessness and Circadian Rhythm Disorder article »


Medical Dictionary