Sleepwalking Nation

By Health Day

Story Created: May 22, 2012 at 4:00 PM AKDT

Story Updated: May 23, 2012 at 4:00 AM AKDT

Nearly 20,000 adults answered a survey about their sleep habits and their physical and mental health.

Nearly 30 percent said they'd sleepwalked at some point in their life. About 3 ? percent reported sleepwalking in the previous year.

Some people were more likely to sleepwalk two or more times a month, including people with:

* Obstructive sleep apnea

* Insomnia

* Major depression

* Obsessive-compulsive disorder

* And alcohol dependence or abuse

, so were people who used over-the-counter sleeping pills and the type of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, since sleepwalking can lead to injuries, waking up people who are roaming around at night may protect them from harm.

I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.

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