Sleep Problems
About 69 percent of children 10 and under experience some type of sleep problem, according to the National Sleep Foundation's (NSF) 2004 Sleep in America poll. Some of the most common are outlined below:
- Insomnia is a sleep problem that occurs when a child complains of difficulty falling asleep, remaining asleep, and/or early morning awakenings. Insomnia can be short-term due to stress, pain, or a medical or psychiatric condition. It can become long-term if the underlying cause is not addressed or healthy sleep practices are not employed. Treating underlying conditions, developing good sleep practices and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can improve the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- Nightmares are frightening dreams that occur during REM sleep and awaken a child. They usually occur in the later part of the night. Most children have at least one nightmare during childhood; three percent of preschool and school aged children experience frequent nightmares, according to NSF's 2004 Sleep in America poll. They can be upsetting and a child will need reassurance when they occur. Nightmares can result from a scary event, stress, a difficult time or change in a child's routine. Use of a nightlight or security object is often helpful.
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder that includes uncomfortable and unpleasant feelings (e.g. crawly tingly or itchy) in the legs causing an overwhelming urge to move. These feelings make it difficult to fall asleep. RLS can be treated with changes in bedtime routines, increased iron, and possibly medications.
- Sleeptalking occurs when the child talks, laughs or cries out in his/her sleep. As with sleep terrors, the child is unaware and has no memory of the incident the next day. There is usually no need to treat sleeptalking.
- Sleepwalking is experienced by as many as 40 percent of children, usually between ages three and seven. Sleepwalking usually occur an hour or two after sleep onset and may last five to 20 minutes. As sleep deprivation often contributes to sleepwalking, moving bedtime earlier can be helpful.
- Sleep terrors occur early in the night. A child may scream out and be distressed, although s/he is not awake or aware during a sleep terror. Sleep terrors may be caused by not getting enough sleep, an irregular sleep schedule, stress, or sleeping in a new environment. Increasing sleep time will help reduce the likelihood of a sleep terror.
- Snoring occurs when there is a partial blockage in the airway that causes a noise due to the vibration of the back of the throat. About l0-12 percent of normal children habitually snore. Snoring can be caused by nasal congestion or enlarged adenoids or tonsils that block the airway. Some children who snore may have sleep apnea.
- Sleep apnea -- when snoring is loud and the child is having difficulty breathing, it may be a sign of a more serious disorder, obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep caused by blocked airway passages, resulting in repeated arousals from sleep. Sleep apnea has been associated with daytime sleepiness, academic problems, and hyperactivity. Treatment for sleep apnea is available.
Future Problems When Children Don't Sleep Well.
Every parent knows that a tired kid is a cranky kid.
Now, scientists are discovering that children with chronic sleep
problems are at increased risk for developing a mental illness later in
life.
Recent studies show that children who have persistent sleep problems,
such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or not getting
enough night-time shut-eye, are more likely later to suffer from
depression and anxiety disorders and to abuse alcohol and drugs than
kids without sleep problems. The findings add to previous research that
has linked children's sleep problems to a host of issues, including
aggressive behavior, learning and memory problems and obesity.
A 2010 study of 392 boys and girls published
online in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that those who had
trouble sleeping at 12 to 14 years old were more than two times as
likely to have suicidal thoughts at ages 15 to 17 as those who didn't
have sleep problems at the younger age. In a study published last year
in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, involving 386
participants, children whose mothers reported that they were overtired
when 3 to 8 years old were 2.8 times as likely to binge drink when they
were 18 to 20 years old. And a study of 1,037 children revealed that 46%
of those who were considered to have a persistent sleep difficulty at
age 9 had an anxiety disorder at age 21 or 26. By comparison, of the
children who didn't have sleep problems at age 9, 33% had an anxiety
disorder as young adults, according to the research, which was published
in 2005 in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. Scientists caution
that some study-sample sizes are small and research is still in its
early stages.
Psychiatrists and psychologists say they hope that by addressing
sleep problems in childhood, some of the instances of later mental
illness can be prevented. |
