Is sleepwalking dangerous for children and how to deal with it?

Sleep disorders are very common problems today. The disease can affect both children and adults and brings many negative health consequences. Among them, sleepwalking is one of the most worrisome and common problems in young children. Sleepwalking children can put themselves at risk and worry their parents. The following article by Dr. Nguyen Lam Giang will provide you with relevant information, as well as some methods to help treat this condition. Let's find out together!

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• Overview of children sleepwalking
• Is sleepwalking in children dangerous?
• How to treat when a child sleepwalks?

Overview of children sleepwalking

Sleepwalking symptoms

Sleepwalking usually occurs in the middle of the night, about 1-2 hours after sleeping. A child may experience several sleepwalking episodes one night, each lasting several minutes. Children often sit up and walk; and do various movements while still in a state of sleep. Common behaviors seen during sleepwalking are:

• Get out of bed and walk around.
• Sit on the bed and open your eyes.
• The eyes were dull, lifeless.
• Does not react or respond to parents.
• Difficulty waking up during sleepwalking.
• Confusion, disorientation for a while after awakening.
• Can't remember events that happened during the night after waking up.
• Disturbances in day activities due to sleep disturbances .
• Having panic attacks while sleepwalking.

Children with sleepwalking may have one or more of these symptoms. However, these symptoms can be mild and easy to monitor by parents. Children can sometimes do more difficult and dangerous tasks, such as:

• Doing routine tasks such as: Changing clothes, talking and eating – be careful because children can eat dirty.
• Away from home.
• Performing unusual activities such as urinating in a closet, etc.
• Self-injury such as falling down stairs or jumping out of a window, etc.
• There is violent behavior with confusion during the attack.

Children with sleepwalking can do many things even while in a state of sleep

Risk factors for sleepwalking

Because of the above symptoms, parents need to pay attention to this issue if a child sleepwalks . However, only 15% of children sleepwalking, and it is most common in children between the ages of 8 and 12. It is more common if the child has one of the following risk factors:

• Children with a family history (father or mother) sleepwalking .
• Children often lack sleep.
• Children using certain types of sedatives.
• Children with a history of brain damage.
• Child has a fever.
• Restless leg syndrome .
• Sleep apnea syndrome in children .
• Children stress , excessive stress.

Fortunately, sleepwalking usually goes away on its own as children get older; A few that persist will require specific treatment if the disease is severe.

Is sleepwalking in children dangerous?

Sleepwalking in children is not a cause for concern. The disease is usually mild and easily controlled with parental support. However, more attention should be paid if this condition repeats frequently; and changes in severity in terms of frequency of occurrence, new symptoms in an attack, duration of each attack, and the child's health. The following situations can occur when a child is sleepwalking:

• Injuring yourself – for example, falling down stairs, wandering the street, eating or drinking.
• Sleep is often interrupted, making children tired and sleepy; and affect daytime activities such as living and studying.
• Difficulty in social relationships.
• Disturbing other people's sleep.
• May injure others.

See also: Sleepwalking in children: Advice from a psychologist

Frequent sleepwalking can make children sleepy, affecting their daytime activities

From the above problems, sleepwalking children can have a decline in their own health and affect others. Therefore, severe or recurrent cases should see a doctor to choose the appropriate treatment method.

How to treat when a child sleepwalks?

Long-term sleepwalking treatment

Not everyone who sleepwalks needs to see a doctor. Because the disease is usually mild, it occurs only occasionally and goes away on its own. But the following recommendations are for children with the disease to see a doctor soon.

• Sleepwalking often – several times per night or several days per week.
• Are at risk of or have ever caused injury to themselves or others.
• Disrupting sleep for family members or yourself.
• Affect health.
• Children appear to sleepwalk in early adolescence.

Treatment of children with sleepwalking often focuses on reducing risk factors and helping to create a safe, trauma-free environment for the child during the episode.

• Treat the underlying cause (if the child has it).
• Create an environment conducive to sleep such as avoiding noise, light, cold or hot weather.
• Create a safe environment, if your child sleepwalks, also avoids injury. Lock all doors, including windows, remove sharp objects, wires, electrical outlets in the room, do not sleep in bunk beds.
• Relax gently, regularly before going to bed. Creating a habit of reading books , taking a warm bath, meditating , doing light exercise, playing simple games are also helpful.
• Avoid stress and tension before going to bed, do not play games, look at the phone, etc.
• The drug is only used for severe cases that are difficult to treat with conventional methods.

Parents should assist in arranging a comfortable and safe sleeping environment for their child

Sleepwalking treatment

Here are a few tips to help parents deal with sleepwalking:

• Do not wake the child immediately, unless the child is in a dangerous situation. If necessary, do it gently and slowly, always by your side for support when needed.
• Slowly guide the child back to bed.
• Observe and record the activities the child does during the attack.

See more: Foods that help babies sleep well that mothers should know

Sleepwalking in children is very rare, moreover, if it does, the disease is usually mild, occurs infrequently and goes away on its own, without requiring specific treatment. The disease also does not represent another neurological or psychiatric problem, but simply a type of sleep disorder. Hopefully, through the above article of Doctor Nguyen Lam Giang, you have gained more information to better understand this situation. If you have any questions, you can visit your doctor for more advice.