an overview of different sleep disorders that children might have

1. NIGHT TERRORS
More severe than simple bad dreams, night terrors occur
when children wake up suddenly, often screaming and in a
state of heightened anxiety.
• Night terrors typically manifest around 90 minutes after
the child falls asleep.
• Teach your children stress-relieving techniques and
create a calm atmosphere around bedtime.
SLEEPWALKING
Children who sleepwalk get out of bed and walk around
without waking up, which could be extremely dangerous if
the child falls down stairs.
• Parents must remember that waking sleepwalking
children by shaking them or shouting at them can be
very harmful.
• Track the time of night your children typically sleepwalk
and try waking them 15 minutes before, keeping them
busy for about five minutes. This may put a stop to
sleepwalking after a few nights.
TEETH GRINDING
Grinding teeth while sleeping can disrupt sleep patterns and
lead to a host of oral health issues. This issue is often caused
by discomfort while teething.
• Gently alleviate the discomfort by massaging your child’s
gums before bedtime, or use a pain-relieving gel as
prescribed by a doctor.
• For older children, a special mouth guard made by a
dentist can help prevent grinding damage.
BEDWETTING
Wetting the bed during sleep is a common sleep disorder in
children, and it usually stops as the child matures.
• Reduce the frequency of bedwetting incidents by
limiting your children’s fluid intake a few hours before
bedtime and making sure they use the bathroom before
going to bed.
• Although bedwetting typically is caused by normal
developmental changes, it also may be triggered by
emotional issues from trauma or changes to the
child’s routine.
INSOMNIA
Children who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
for eight or nine hours can experience other problems such
as a lack of concentration, hyperactivity or irritability.
• The problem often is resolved by sticking to a firm
bedtime routine. Make sure kids go to bed at the same
time every night.
• Limit your children’s TV viewing or video games an hour
before bed. A warm bath and a bedtime story also can be
key elements of an effective bedtime routine.
www.zentriangledentistry.com
Sleep disorders can disrupt the good night’s
sleep that children need. Here is some
information about some common sleep
disorders in children and how parents can
help kids get the proper amount of sleep.
SLEEP DISORDERS
IN CHILDREN