Child’s sleep needs attention
As is the case with adults, children also suffer from multiple sleep disorders. Children often have sleep rhythm disorders because their bedtime is often not set. A flexible daily schedule is not good for children, in the case of which their daily activities have their own rhythm and there are no set meal nor nap times. If a pre-schooler runs around and romps before bedtime, the body nor mind cannot calm down and prepare for sleep. The sleep rhythm of teenagers is disrupted by the limitless use of smart devices. Bedtime is significantly decreased due to being active in social networks.
As is the case with adults, children often snore. Difficulty breathing, sniffing, apnoea, gasping for air could also occur. Children could also experience discomfort, restless feet or hands. They describe it as running ants, screw driver, or snails crawling on their feet.
Symptoms indicating a child’s sleep disorders
Night Symptoms:
- snoring, heavy breathing, sniffing
- apnoea
- restless sleep
- night time fidgeting
- talking in sleep
- sleepwalking
- rolling over
- rhythmical movements with the head
- bed wetting
Daytime Symptoms:
- trouble concentrating
- restlessness
- excess sleepiness during the daytime
- increased irritability
Different Sleep Disorders in Children
Symptoms of children’s sleep disorders could differ from those of adults. A child’s hyperactive and seemingly restless behaviour might indicate a sleep disorder. Parent’s thoughtfulness and close co-operation with the doctor and counsellor allow for the detection of the sleeping disorder effecting the child’s health and development. Children suffer from the following sleep disorders:
- childhood behavioural insomnia (occurs at the beginning of sleep, setting limits type)
- primary childhood sleep apnoea
- childhood’s obstructive sleep apnoea
- innate central hyperventilation syndrome
- sleep enuresis
- rhythmical movements related to sleep (rolling the head and body)