Full-grown adults aren’t the only ones that suffer from sleep disorders, as pediatric sleep disorders are also on the rise. Children also deal with their fair share of disorders when it comes to difficulty falling asleep, and staying that way. The issues that accompany these pediatric sleep disorders can be quite profound. Here’s an overview of the most common pediatric sleep disorders that a child is likely to suffer from, as well as common treatments for those conditions.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is one of the more common pediatric sleep disorders that children of all ages can suffer from. It is difficulty with breathing while sleeping, and it can be caused by several different reasons.

Common Causes

Typically, pediatric sleep disorders are caused by enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or obesity in children. These issues are correctable, making apnea easy to get rid of with the right treatment plan.

The Symptoms

There are a few different symptoms to look out for when trying to identify the different pediatric sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. Here’s a breakdown of the most common issues. Your children will often have trouble focusing during the day, they may occasionally stop breathing in their sleep, they may sleep with their mouth open during their normal sleep, or even snore. They may also be extremely tired and irritable during the daytime.

Treatment Solution

There are a few different ways to treat pediatric sleep disorders, but the approach depends entirely on what the cause is. For children with enlarged tonsils, the solution is to remove them. The same goes with adenoids. For children that are overweight, the solution is dieting and weight management. There are other causes of these pediatric sleep disorders, however, and each cause has its own unique treatment regimen.

Insomnia

Insomnia is one of the most common pediatric sleep disorders that you will see in children of varying ages. It is an issue that makes it hard for children to fall asleep and to remain asleep. The problem is sometimes tricky to treat because it has so many potential causes, unlike some of the simpler pediatric sleep disorders.

Common Causes

Insomnia in children is caused by many potential problems. It could be from anxiety, it could be from an irregular sleep schedule, overstimulation before bedtime, or even a lack of melatonin production before bed. The important thing with each of these pediatric sleep disorders is figuring out how to treat the issue so that it doesn’t cause more problems for the child.

Symptoms

Mood swings are common for children dealing with insomnia. This is due to them being tired, and not necessarily them acting out. Depression and irritability are also common as their young bodies are struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy while being extremely tired. Most insomniac children are also extremely tired during the day when they are normally full of energy.

Treatment Solution

The treatment that you rely on for these symptoms specifically depends on what is causing the problem. For some children, a more structured bedtime routine is all that is necessary. For others, the use of medication or melatonin is what is needed to solve these issues.  For yet other children, simple relaxation techniques can do the job. Every child has the potential to respond differently to their treatment plans, so don’t be afraid to try and few different options to help them.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is one of the rarer pediatric sleep disorders that children can suffer from. It is an issue that must be taken seriously as it is something that children can get. Fortunately, the symptoms are quite simple to notice with this disorder, and there are effective treatment options available, unlike some of the more problematic pediatric sleep disorders.

Common Causes

Narcolepsy has a definite known cause, unlike some of the other pediatric sleep disorders. It’s caused by the brain’s inability to regulate sleep and awake cycles in the body. When a child suffers from narcolepsy, they have a tough time sleeping at night and remaining awake during the day, and that can cause real problems for a child.

The Symptoms

Here are most of the common symptoms of this disorder. They stand out more than some of the other pediatric sleep disorders, making it a bit easier to identify. Your child is going to struggle to say awake during the day. Typically, you will notice insomnia at bedtime, even with a routine that would normally make a child relaxed enough to sleep. Hallucinations are common both when going to sleep and when waking up. Your child may suddenly struggle to move during the day as well, as they may have fallen asleep.

Treatment Options

There aren’t as many treatment options as there are with other pediatric sleep disorders, but there are ways to alleviate the symptoms. Many parents rely on medications and sleep pattern adjustments to help solve the problem. Scheduling short naps throughout the morning can also help rid your child of this issue.

To find out if your child suffers from any of these pediatric sleep disorders, call Mark Levy, DDS, at (614) 777-7350 and speak with a Columbus, OH expert on the topic.