Is Sleep Talking a Condition You Should Worry About? Here’s What You Need To Know

Has a housemate told you were talking in your sleep? Or, have you ever heard your little boy or girl shout late at night, only to go back to sleep?

You've probably wished your sleep-talking husband or wife will spill a secret he or she has long been keeping. Go, try asking him or her, a question while sleeping but be warned-you might receive a one-syllable response.

Don't expect your spouse, though, to remember a word he or she said while asleep. Sleep talkers typically do not remember a thing they utter during their sleep.

You may find sleep talking funny, but it is important that you know more about this condition from its causes to treatments. Indeed, talking in your sleep, especially if you do it unconsciously so often, is beyond just chitchatting with unseen people late at night.

(Photo: Pixabay)
: A study found that adults, about five percent of them, ‘keep chitchatting after going to bed.’

What is Sleep Talking?

This condition is a sleep disorder called "somniloquy." Reports about this condition indicate that not many doctors know about sleep talking, like why it occurs or what takes place in the brain when one talks in his sleep.

Usually, a sleep talker is not aware that he is talking. More so, he does not remember such an occurrence the following day.

Those who have this condition may utter complete sentences, speak nonsense, or speak in a language or voice different from what he uses when awake. The good news is that, if you or a person you know 'sleep talks,' there's nothing to worry about because this condition, according to experts, seems to be harmless.

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Who are Likely to Develop this Condition?

Countless people are talking in their sleep. A study showed that half of all children aged between three and 10 years carry on conversations while sleeping.

The same study also found adults, about five percent of them, "keep chitchatting after going to bed." The talking can occur occasionally or every evening.

A poll result in 2004 showed more than one in every 10 kids sleep-talk more than a few nights each week.

According to some research, girls are talking in their sleep as much as boys. Furthermore, sleep experts believe this condition may run in families.

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What are the Symptoms of Somniloquy

It's not easy to determine if you've been talking in your sleep. Typically, the people you sleep with are the ones to likely say they have heard you utter a word or even sentences during the night while you were sleeping.

Or, probably, a housemate might be complaining that your sleep talking has kept him or her up the whole night.

Why Do People Sleep Talk?

It's a common belief that sleep talking happens while the person sleeping is dreaming. However, researchers remain unsure if such a condition is associated with "nighttime reveries." Sleep talking can happen regardless of the stage of sleep.

Typically, sleep talking takes place by itself, and is more often than not, harmless. Nonetheless, it might be considered an indicator of a more severe sleep disorder or any other health condition in some circumstances.

According to research, REM sleep behavior disorder and sleep terrors "are two types of sleep disorders" that lead to some people to shout while they are sleeping.

Meanwhile, sleep terrors, also known as night terrors, typically engage terrifying screams, kicking, and thrashing. It's difficult to wake a person who's having a night terror. Kids with this type of sleep disorder usually don't just sleep talk; they sleepwalk, too.

Can this Sleep Disorder be Treated?

Treatment for sleep talking remains unknown although, a sleep expert or a sleep center may be able to provide help to someone to manage his condition.

If you or a loved one is experiencing this condition, a sleep expert can guarantee that your body receives the adequate rest it needs at night.

Furthermore, if this condition is already bothering you, it might help, too, if you talk to a professional about managing both your sleep talking and sleeping itself.

Among the things experts recommend include sleeping in different rooms or beds; setting up a white noise machine inside your bedroom to drown out any chattering; avoid alcoholic beverages; avoid eating heavy meals before bedtime; set up regular sleep time to go with nighttime rituals to prepare your brain to sleep.

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