Sleep walking
Alternative Names
Walking during sleep; SomnambulismTreatment
Most people don't need any specific treatment for sleep walking.
Safety measures may be needed to prevent injury. This may include changing the area by moving objects such as electrical cords or furniture to reduce the chances of tripping and falling. You may need to block off stairways with a gate.
In some cases, short-acting tranquilizers have been helpful in reducing sleep walking episodes.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Sleep walking may or may not reduce with age. It usually does not indicate a serious disorder, although it can be a symptom of other disorders.
Possible Complications
A complication is getting injured while sleep walking.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
You probably won't need to visit your health care provider if you are sleep walking. However, discuss the condition with your doctor if:
- You also have other symptoms
- Sleep walking is frequent or persistent
- You perform potentially dangerous activities (such as driving) while sleep walking
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by
URAC, also known as the American
Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is
the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and
accountability, verified by independent audit.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.