There are a number of different factors or problems that are considered to be sleepwalking causes.  

Sleepwalking by children is actually quite common.  Estimates vary from around 15%, to as high as 30% of children will experience at least one episode of sleepwalking.  A small percentage of these kids will continue sleepwalking into adulthood.

In this article we are going to explore the most common triggers for adults. Sleepwalking by adults can be caused by numerous factors, and in some cases there is no known sleepwalking cause.  The clinical term for sleepwalking is somnambulism.

So in the words of David Letterman, (Drum roll, please....)
Some of the most common causes of sleepwalking are:

10. Unfamiliar surroundings, such as visiting overnight with a friend or relative, moving into a new home, or staying at a hotel can sometimes be a sleepwalking cause.

9. If you suffer from other sleep-related disorders, such as night terrors, nightmares, or chronic insomnia, you may very well sleepwalk, too.

8. There are certain medications that can cause a person to sleepwalk.  Anti-seizure meds, anti-arrhythmia drugs, and some anti-anxiety medications are known to be sleepwalking triggers.  

If you are at all prone to sleepwalking, avoid, avoid, avoid the use of prescription sleep aids such as Ambien and Lunesta.  These and related drugs have caused sleepwalking along with some very frightening activities like sleep driving, sleep eating, and sleep sexual behaviors.  NOTE:   If you experience any kind of sleepwalking episode--no matter how seemingly silly or minor--while using these medications, discontinue taking it and notify your physician immediately. Your life could depend on it! The next occurrence could cause you to get in your car and drive.  Many of these incidents have resulted in serious auto accidents.

7. There are several medical conditions that are known sleepwalking causes, among them:
Fever (especially in children)
Overproduction of Thyroid Hormones, known as hyperthyroidism
Migraine Headaches
Head injury
Obstructive Sleep Apnea

6. Some people will experience sleepwalking events during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or pre-menstrual syndrome, due to hormonal changes.

5. Noise or light occurring during the first few hours of sleep can rouse an individual enough to cause sleepwalking without being enough to actually wake them.

4. Alcohol or drug use/abuse are fairly common triggers for sleepwalking events.  Large amounts of alcohol or use of recreational drugs should be avoided.  Sleepwalking can be dangerous; sleepwalking under the influence of alcohol or drugs is exponentially more dangerous.

3. Serious sleep deprivation can bring about sleepwalking incidents, even for people who do not normally sleepwalk.

2. Genetics can play a very strong role in sleepwalking.  Experts estimate that your odds of sleepwalking are increased by about 10 times, if a parent or other close relative has a history of sleepwalking.  

Have you guessed it yet? The #1 cause of adult sleepwalking...

(Drum Roll Please....)

#1. Most likely the number one sleepwalking cause is stress or anxiety.  If you can remove the causes of stress in your life, you can often eliminate the sleepwalking episodes.  We all know it's not always possible to 'remove the cause of stress,' but learning to deal with stress in a more positive fashion can help a great deal, and will often eliminate sleepwalking problems.

Sleepwalking can be hazardous to your health, even your life.

Throughout history, numerous cases have been recorded of people committing serious crimes, even murder, while sleepwalking.  

There have been some cases in recent years, where cause of death was determined to be 'suicide, or accidental death, while sleepwalking.'

Although it's rare, some people have been known to sleepwalk into a busy street, or in front of an oncoming train.

Through various treatments available today, it is very likely you can stop sleepwalking for good!

For more information about the causes and treatments of sleepwalking, plus sleepwalking stories ranging from the hilarious, to bizarre, to tragic.....please visit   http://www.squidoo.com/adult_sleepwalking