It is very difficult to discover sleep disorder in kids. After several months, mothers believe that their children are acting not trying to fall asleep. However, reality can be very different. According to a sleep study, nearly 40% children have different types of sleep disorders. They face disorders at some point of time. These disorders range in different levels of severity and a majority of them can be cured. With this being said, here are few signs and symptoms that your child has sleep disorder.
#1 EDS
A common symptom in children would be “Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)”. Both adults and children can exhibit this symptom. It is not unusual for children to feel drowsy and tired on an occasion. However, it is a problem only if this drowsiness becomes frequent. If your child sleeps eight hours in the night and feel drowsy in the morning, they may have EDS. Few other symptoms of EDS are: restless leg syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy.
#2 Insomnia
Does your child complain of not feeling to sleep? Does he/she have trouble sleeping for long hours? Does your child wake up often? If yes, it could be a sign of insomnia. A variety of reasons contribute to insomnia in kids. This includes mental disorders, stress and pain. Stress can originate from various sources like family issues, school work, friends and periodic changes in lifestyle.
#3 Snoring
“Snoring” is not harmful by itself. It is a sound that gets generated when the upper airway vibrates. These vibrations happen when air doesn’t reach the lungs. Come reasons behind snoring in little ones are: nasal congestion, adenoids, respiratory infections and deviated septum. Unfortunately, children who snore can have obstructive sleep apnea alias OSA. Nearly 3% of children in USA are affected by obstructive sleep apnea.
#4 Nightmares and Night Terrors
Another major reason behind sleep clinic is “Nightmares”. These are frightening dreams that can awake a child threatened, terrified and afraid. Making kids fall asleep after a nightmare is very difficult. Nightmares turn into a sleep disorder when they occur frequently. Frequent waking can result in EDS, behavioral problems and anxiety. It can change the child’s sleep experience severely. Likewise, night terrors can cause sleep disorders in kids. Night terrors are different from nightmares. When night terrors happen, the child will not awaken completely. They may end up crying and screaming in their sleep.
