Sleepwalking is a disorder in which a person gets up while still asleep and walk around. This often occurs in children and teens but can still start and continue into adulthood. When it comes to sleepwalking, you may have only heard myths or what you’ve seen in television or movies. It’s important to understand sleepwalking so that you can get the help you need if you’re experiencing it.  Dr. Richard Bogan and Dr. Laura Herpel at Bogan Sleep Consultants in Columbia, SC, can answer some common questions about sleepwalking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sleepwalking

Q. What are the symptoms that are associated with sleepwalking?

A. Symptoms that occur with sleepwalking are actually similar to what you’ve seen in the media. Sleepwalking often happens early in the night and usually lasts just a few minutes. Common symptoms include:

• Walking out of bed while asleep
• Sitting up with eyes open
• Unresponsive
• Sleep terrors
• Difficulty functioning during the day

Q. What causes sleepwalking?

A. Sleepwalking is a disorder that occurs during deep sleep. It can be caused by sleep deprivation, stress, and disruptions in your sleep schedule. There could be other reasons, such as sleep apnea, GERD, restless leg syndrome, or substance use.

Q. How is sleepwalking treated?

A. Often, your doctor in Columbia, SC, may not need to perform treatment for sleepwalking. Usually, it’s the underlying issue that needs to be treated. Once those issues are dealt with, sleepwalking usually tends to stop and you’ll be able to sleep throughout the night with ease and feel rested the next day.

Contact Your Sleep Doctor Today

Stop feeling exhausted from walking around in your sleep. Contact Dr. Richard Bogan at Bogan Sleep Consultants in Columbia, SC, to learn more about sleepwalking and if it’s affecting you. Call for more information and to schedule your appointment today at (803) 251-3093.