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Myth or fact Are you really not allowed to wake sleepwalkers?
Up to 30 percent of all children and 2 percent of adults leave the bed at night in deep sleep and walk around. It is often said: "Sleepwalkers should not be woken up." Is that really true? Experts have different recommendations.
Should we wake sleepwalkers?
Sleepwalking (somnambulism) is a sleep disorder in which sufferers leave the bed, walk around and sometimes perform more complex activities. According to experts, up to 30 percent of all children and 2 percent of adults occasionally make such nocturnal trips. When it comes to the topic, many people quickly have the supposed wisdom that sleepwalkers should not be awakened. But is that true? Many experts say no. Although it is very difficult to wake sleepwalkers - but safe. However, some experts say sleepwalking is dangerous for those affected, so they should be awakened.
Can sleepwalkers be awakened? Experts give different answers. (Image: milkovasa / fotolia.com) The awakening can be difficult
As the head of the interdisciplinary sleep medicine center of the Charité University Medical Center in Berlin, Prof. Ingo Fietze, said in a message from the dpa news agency, a sleepwalker does not necessarily wake up when it addresses or touches him. But it is very difficult to wake her up. After all, he or she is currently in deep sleep. With more drastic methods such as a loud alarm or a wet rag, you run the risk of getting sleepwalking. "He can fall down or something like that and hurt himself," says Fietze.
Take sleepwalker back to bed
"The best way to lead a sleepwalker back to bed," said the expert, according to the agency. It is helpful to turn on the light in the bedroom here. The sleepwalker sees this through the slightly opened eyes and follows the light. It therefore makes sense to have night lamps in the bedroom. In addition, according to Fietze, the room should be furnished with furniture with as few corners as possible. However, because sleepwalkers can not assess risks in their work and could therefore be dangerous for them, some experts suggest that sleepwalkers should be awakened. Awakening is therefore always the safer alternative, since accidents can happen during sleepwalking.
Ensure better sleep hygiene
According to researchers sleepwalking is triggered by a genetic predisposition coupled with stress. The risk could also be increased by some medications, fever or a crowded bladder. All factors that disturb sleep should be eliminated as much as possible. Simple tips and home remedies for sleeping disorders include avoiding nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, heavy meals and excitement, such as exciting movies, before bedtime. The bedroom should be kept dark. Because even psychological influences such as anger or stress can often trigger sleep disorders, health experts recommend relaxation exercises for stress relief such as autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation or yoga. (Ad)