Sleepwalking is a neurobiological pathology. The sleepwalking patient performs gestures such as walking or driving a car while sleeping. In rare cases, the sleepwalker can become violent by assaulting those who try to wake him up. Stress or alcohol abuse are aggravating factors for sleepwalking, the causes of which are difficult to define. Some patients may have a genetic predisposition to this disease. In Europe, 10 to 20% of the population suffers from sleepwalking. In some countries, such as Sweden, the rate of sleepwalking is as high as 40%.
The different types of sleepwalking
Sleepwalking occurs during the first third of the sleep cycle. During REM sleep, the phase during which the subject dreams, the body is fast asleep while the brain is working at full capacity. Sleepwalking can be of the simple, risky or terrifying type. Simple sleepwalking lasts a maximum of 10 minutes, a period during which the patient can perform mundane tasks such as tidying up the cupboard or sitting on the bed. He can answer yes or no to the questions put to him. Risky sleepwalking is similar to simple sleepwalking, but its duration can exceed 20 minutes. The patient handling sharp or blunt objects can become dangerous. In some cases, the sleepwalker can jump out of the window. Terror sleepwalking usually occurs in children between the ages of 5 and 10. The phenomenon occurs after the first stage of sleep and is characterized by anxiety attacks. The patient may suffer from a heart attack and scream. The cases of defenestration are the best known in this last type of somnambulism.
Homeopathic treatments for sleepwalking
Assleepwalking is generally caused by external factors such as stress, smoking, alcohol abuse or drugs, it is necessary to consult a homeopath to detect the causes of the phenomenon. Hypnosis sessions also give good results and help to reduce attacks. Among the homeopathic remedies prescribed are Kalium bromate 9 Ch, Muriatic Natrum 9 Ch and Silicea 9 Ch. Before going to bed, the patient should consume 3 granules of these remedies. It is advisable to drink soothing herbal teas such as chamomile or passionflower, which have anti-stress properties. By taking homeopathic products, the patient will be able to have a more peaceful sleep and his attacks will gradually fade. To treat the most serious cases of terror sleepwalking, the homeopath may prescribe muriatic Natrum for nearly 6 months.
