Cause 6: Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is no minor player in the realm of sleep disorders. It’s a sneaky saboteur, marked by periods where breathing stops or becomes shallow during sleep. But beyond the obvious concern of paused breathing, there’s another byproduct: disrupted sleep cycles. The constant awakening, even if only for a few seconds, can wreak havoc on the deep phases of sleep where our bodies rest and recover. And with this tumultuous sleep pattern, the doors to sleepwalking swing wide open.
Beyond the frequent awakenings, sleep apnea has its chorus of signs. From loud snoring to restless tossing and turning, and from choking sounds to significant fatigue during the day, the symptoms are as varied as they are troubling. This continuous disruption can lead the brain to be caught between wakefulness and sleep, increasing the risk of noctambulism episodes.
Breathing is central to life; it’s as natural as, well, breathing! But what happens when this essential function falters during sleep? Our brain, sensing the decreased oxygen, sends out an emergency alert, partially awakening the person. These frequent partial arousals can muddy the waters between the states of being awake and being asleep, thus setting the stage for possible sleepwalking.
Sleep apnea alone is concerning, but when combined with sleepwalking, the situation becomes even more complex. Picture this: an individual, already struggling with breathing, now also walks around, possibly exacerbating the oxygen shortage. It’s a potentially dangerous cocktail that underscores the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment. (6)
