Sleep is the body's way of re-energizing and repairing body.
When the mind and body are unable to rest, they are not allowed
to fully rejuvenate. Studies have shown that children who suffer
from some type of sleep disorder are generally more likely to
suffer behavioral and academic problems at school. Children
suffering from a sleep disorder may appear disruptive,
uninterested, depressed, or constantly on edge / anxious. Being
able to recognize these symptoms as signs of a sleeping disorder
will help parents and teachers understand possible reasons for
their child's behavior. When the underlying issue can be
addressed, an effective treatment plan can be developed.
One study conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found
that two out of three children under age 10 have experienced
symptoms of a sleeping disorder. Certain stressors are believed
to trigger sleep disorders in some children. One common trigger
is an increase in stress, whether it is academic, personal,
spiritual, etc. Once the stressors are known, parents can take
steps to help reduce certain triggers for their children. For
sleep disorders with no physical cause, a reduction in triggers
may be enough to help a child get a good night's sleep. Insomnia
is one type of sleep disorder that does not always have a
physical cause.
Snoring is a mild example of a
sleep disorder that may affect children. Different factors can
affect whether or not a person snores, including the size of
their tonsils, nasal congestion, etc. Snoring is typically
harmless, but it can still result in poor sleep quality. Some
people who snore may also notice changes to their sleep cycle
over time. Snoring can also be the result of a more serious
disorder called obstructive sleep apnea, which causes an
interruption in breathing while the person is asleep. Common
treatments for children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea
include allergy management, nasal medication, antibiotics,
weight loss, or removal of the tonsils.
Sleep
walking and bedwetting are two other sleep disorders that can
affect a person's ability to sleep well. Sleepwalking can be the
result of a central nervous system that has yet to fully mature
(which is why sleepwalking is relatively common amongst
children) or simply of being too tired. The most dangerous part
of sleepwalking for children is the fact that they are unaware
of their surroundings while they are doing it. Parents of
children who sleep walk should be especially careful to make
their homes "safe" before sending the sleep walker to bed.
Floors should be cleared and stairs should be blocked off.
Bedwetting is very common among children. In most
cases, a bed wetting child will have nothing wrong with them,
yet the fact that they may wake in the middle of the night and
be unable to return to sleep makes bedwetting a factor that can
affect a child's sleep, thereby affecting their ability to
function while awake. Although bedwetting is rarely caused by a
serious medical condition, it can be caused by emotional stress,
anxiety, an infection or an allergy.
Sleep is
important for growing children, who need as much quality rest as
they can get. Different disorders may interrupt the sleep cycle
and have different consequences for different children. If
parents suspect that their child may be suffering from a sleep
disorder, they are encouraged to contact their pediatrician.
