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Sleepwalking: When to Seek Medical Care

Medical treatment for sleepwalking is not usually necessary. For children and adults, sleepwalking is usually a sign of lack of sleep, intense emotional problems, stress, or fever. As these conditions resolve, sleepwalking stops.

In most cases, no treatment is necessary because sleepwalking rarely indicates any serious underlying medical or psychiatric problem.

In most children, sleepwalking disappears at puberty. However, it can occasionally persist into adulthood or may even begin in adulthood.

Consult a sleep specialist if you or a loved one is having frequent episodes of sleepwalking, injuring him or herself, or showing violent behavior.

WebMD Medical Reference from eMedicineHealth

Reviewed by Leonard J. Sonne, MD on January 01, 2007
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TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.

Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.

More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.

Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.

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