Sleepwalking is usually portrayed as a rare occurrence but a study published in Neurology suggests that it is more common than we think. According to researchers 8.5 million American adults have experienced sleepwalking. People who suffer from sleep apnea, depression or obsessive compulsive disorders are at higher than average risk.

Some medications, including over-the-counter sleeping pills and antidepressants can also increase sleepwalking. If people who have a history of sleepwalking take these medications it can bring on a sleepwalking event.

Study author Dr. Maurice Ohayon of Stanford Sleep Epidemiology Research Center said “I would like to correct the impression that this phenomenon is rare. This is a huge number of people.”

People who wander at night at least once during a year are likely to have a family history of the problem. The nocturnal ramblings also disturb the sleep of family members. This is how most people find out they sleepwalk, a family member tells them about it.

Many sleep disorders disturb the sleep of family members including obstructive sleep apnea. The loud snoring and gasping noises often wake people in nearby bedrooms to say nothing of the poor, suffering bed partner. This is how most sleep apnea sufferers seek diagnosis and treatment, because of the urging of family members who are also seeking a good night’s sleep.

If you snore loudly and experience extreme daytime sleepiness you may suffer from sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. Many patients have been diagnosed with sleep apnea but find sleeping with a CPAP machine impossible and discontinue treating their disease.

Please contact Dr. Mark Levy at StoneRidge Dental Care in Columbus, OH at 614-476-6696 to discover how oral appliance therapy can give you, and your loved ones, a full night of restful sleep.