Sleep problems in children

 Sleep problems in children

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Sleep problems in children have causes and symptoms, some of which may require rapid intervention, which may include a therapeutic behavioral intervention or drug therapy.

 Sleep problems in children

One of the most common things parents face with their children in childhood is sleep problems in children . There are severe symptoms that require behavioral therapeutic intervention and sometimes need intervention with drugs. Most importantly, integrate parents and involve them in the application of treatment to help their child alleviate these symptoms.

About 30% -40% of infants and preschoolers suffer from these problems, and the most common symptom in children over the age of one year is walking during sleep.

A study published in the Australian Medical Journal in 2014 on the problems of sleep in children, the study pointed out that health references recommend that sleep periods should be as follows:

    Babies sleep 16-18 hours a day, of whom 3-4 hours are divided between night and day.

    Children aged 6 months and in good health sleep more than 6 hours continuously at night.

    Children over 18 months sleep long at night in addition to daytime nap.

    School-age children sleep 11-12 hours continuously at night.

The results of the study showed that the hours of sleep in children gradually decrease as they grow up, the average sleep hours from 10 hours to 8 hours when they reach the age of 16.
Effects of sleep problems in children:

    Weak growth

    Negative educational behavioral effects on the child

    The mental state worsens and affects the quality of life.

These effects are very important because they worsen the psychological state and affect the quality of life of the child and parents together. But some parents do not care about it and do not pay attention to the importance of treatment, and believe that it disappears over time gradually and as the child grows. On the contrary, since parents should see a doctor about these disorders, diagnosing the child's condition can help relieve anxiety and stress in parents.
The study mentioned the most important causes of sleep problems in children:
1- Sleep phenomena / sleep paralysis (Parasomnia)

Sleep disorder disorders involve some kind of abnormal behavior during sleep, such as walking or talking. They can be classified into two groups:

    The basic sleep disorder is the first sleep disorders.

    Secondary sleep paralysis is a disorder of other organ systems that may appear during sleep, including seizures, respiratory dyskinesia (Respiratory dyskinesias), and gastroesophageal reflux (Gastroesophageal reflux).

Symptoms:

    Sudden partial awakening associated with confusion and confusion.

    The child's screaming asleep is terrified, as he has an increased heart rate and an increase in breathing rate, sweating, and expressing himself in fear. The condition lasts for a few minutes, and is like the awakening of sleep and often in the middle of a nap where the child does not remember what happened to him.

    Sleep walking, or excitement with complex motor behaviors during sleep, such as: walking, running, talking or eating. The child's vision is sound while walking asleep. This situation takes between several minutes to an hour, where the seizure does not get more.

    Nightmares and night terrors: Night shifts occur during sleep and are usually diagnosed with a child to study sleep for one night. The baby affects crying, screaming, walking, movement and this condition can be treated with medications.

    Paralysis occurs near the beginning or end of sleep or during waking.

    Hypnagogic hallucinations are short periods of dreaming between sleep and consciousness. These dreams can be scary and often cause a sudden jerk and stir before you start sleeping. The child felt falling to wake up suddenly with a sudden jerk.

    Frequent grinding of teeth during sleep or gnashing of teeth, which is very common as evidence suggests that this is associated with other medical or psychological problems. In some cases, devices placed in the mouth may be used to reduce dental injuries.
    Restless leg syndrome (Restless Legs Syndrome -RLS) and sensory and motor abnormalities, which are related to the genetic basis. It is their symptoms that the child 's legs move repeatedly during sleep and involuntarily.

Behavioral sleep disorders

Of sleep problems in children are very common, characterized by a child can not stay in bed, with difficulty sleeping and the need for permanent help to sleep to sleep. These children also suffer from frequent waking at night, getting out of bed continuously, and waking up very early in the morning.

These problems may result in the child not getting enough sleep, as well as for parents! This creates an atmosphere of tension and turmoil for the family.
Children with developmental disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression and anxiety are more likely to develop sleep disorders than other children.
Dealing with and treating these disorders:

    Treatment is easily done by your primary care physician. Insomnia and depression associated with sleep disorders (Parasomnia) need psychotherapy.

    Insomnia is dealt with by behavioral modification to improve sleep habits and restrict time in bed, in cooperation with parents where parents are asked to gradually withdraw from staying with their children during the period of sleep and determine the hours of sleep to become a pattern when the child.

    Babies and children require attention from parents to stay by their side during sleep, or ask for what they are used to accompanying them in their sleep, such as a doll, or accustomed to sleep in the way of shaking the bed, as well as those who are used to hearing music and thus reduce the number of waking up during the night.

    Parents are advised to put by placing a mattress on the floor and not on the bed, and add locks to no concierge to prevent the child opening the door when walking while sleeping.

    Do not allow your child to watch TV or use electronic games about an hour before bedtime.

    One of the causes of sleep disorder may be a child with restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and heart rhythm disorders (circadian rhythm disorders).

The heart rhythm disturbance results in the dispersion of the sleep schedule, which in turn affects the child's participation in daily and school activities.