sleep disorders in children
Understanding Sleep Disorders in Children
Remy JirekSleep disorders in children were once dismissed as temporary annoyances that would pass once the child had grown up. Recently, they have been recognized as serious issues and now both parents and physicians are seeking ways to treat them. In the past, bedwetting was treated with disdain and punishment, however research of the issue has shown that it could be due to the deep level of sleep a child obtains. Even nightmares are considered as being a sleep disorder and are looked at very seriously.
Over the past few decades, much has been tried and discovered regarding sleep disorders in children and adults. There are a variety of disorders that were once overlooked or dismissed as childhood maladies that would soon be outgrown. However, today pediatricians and physicians are realizing that many of the symptoms are indicative of a greater problem and are more willing to consider the possibility of sleep disorders in children.
Not an Easy Task
Everything from bedwetting to sleepwalking, nightmares to REM sleep behavior disorder are now considered to be sleep disorders in children. While bedwetting was once frowned upon and scolded as though the child had any type of control over his nighttime bathroom ritual, it is now understood that when a child enters into a certain level of sleep, it is extremely difficult for them to wake out of it.
Nightmares and night terrors cause a child to wake up in fear, either from a dream or a hallucination of sorts. Children who once complained of monsters in the closets may have been dreaming or hallucinating while falling into or out of sleep. Children who leave the bed and walk through the house are sleepwalking, and there are even children who get up and raid the refrigerator.
It is important that parents understand that while sleep disorders in children do exist, it is not something that is easily diagnosed, nor is it commonly accepted by all pediatricians. It may be necessary to locate a specialist in the area of sleep disorders-who may or may not be in your medical insurance network community. You may be lucky enough to have your child indicate (other than crying) that something hurts. If he ever comes holding or hitting his head, call the pediatrician.
You might notice a child shaking his head or hitting his head or ear-with or without complaining. While this is not necessarily the symptom of a sleep disorder in children, it might be an insight that the child may be experience difficulty or discomfort somewhere that he can't explain.
If, during any time, (especially in the middle of a disturbing nighttime episode), a child becomes rigid, shaking, or convulsive, contact a pediatrician (or hospital) immediately. Not only must the child be attended to at once, seizures may be a significant sign of sleep disorders in children. Finding the source of your child's discomfort is not only the hardest thing you must do, but it will be the most rewarding-it takes diligence and conviction, but your child will thank you for the rest of his life.
Not an Easy Task
Everything from bedwetting to sleepwalking, nightmares to REM sleep behavior disorder are now considered to be sleep disorders in children. While bedwetting was once frowned upon and scolded as though the child had any type of control over his nighttime bathroom ritual, it is now understood that when a child enters into a certain level of sleep, it is extremely difficult for them to wake out of it.
Nightmares and night terrors cause a child to wake up in fear, either from a dream or a hallucination of sorts. Children who once complained of monsters in the closets may have been dreaming or hallucinating while falling into or out of sleep. Children who leave the bed and walk through the house are sleepwalking, and there are even children who get up and raid the refrigerator.
It is important that parents understand that while sleep disorders in children do exist, it is not something that is easily diagnosed, nor is it commonly accepted by all pediatricians. It may be necessary to locate a specialist in the area of sleep disorders-who may or may not be in your medical insurance network community. You may be lucky enough to have your child indicate (other than crying) that something hurts. If he ever comes holding or hitting his head, call the pediatrician.
You might notice a child shaking his head or hitting his head or ear-with or without complaining. While this is not necessarily the symptom of a sleep disorder in children, it might be an insight that the child may be experience difficulty or discomfort somewhere that he can't explain.
If, during any time, (especially in the middle of a disturbing nighttime episode), a child becomes rigid, shaking, or convulsive, contact a pediatrician (or hospital) immediately. Not only must the child be attended to at once, seizures may be a significant sign of sleep disorders in children. Finding the source of your child's discomfort is not only the hardest thing you must do, but it will be the most rewarding-it takes diligence and conviction, but your child will thank you for the rest of his life.