Have you ever watched a child sleep? They don't just lie there. They sprawl. Arms and legs akimbo. Perfectly relaxed. Lost in the land of dreams.
However, children suffer from sleep disorders, too. Not just snoring and nightmares. More serious than the occasional sleepwalking.
INSOMNIA
Insomnia in adults is a very common disorder. An occasional bout, a spell that lasts for weeks - and sometimes chronic insomnia that drags on for years --- all those can cause varying amount of sleep deprivation with its inherent dangers and discomfort.
Children can also suffer from insomnia. If you have a child who's restless every night, who awakens unrefreshed or irritable, then he or she may be a victim of childhood insomnia, and just as miserable as adult sufferers.
While, with adults, it's sometimes hard or impossible to come up for the cause of the sleeplessness, with children there's usually a very obvious cause. Find that cause, eliminate it and you will be well on the way to curing the insomnia.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Stress - Just like adults, children can suffer from stress, and it's can be a cause of insomnia.
If you have a child suffering from sleepless nights, take a look at his or her life. How are things at school? Is the household in the midst of financial or marital problems? Is your child being pestered by the bully down the street? You bet your life kids worry, more than you'd believe. Try to help with the problems.
Constipation or upset tummy - Something as simple as a bit of a stomach problem can cause occasional restlessness. Adults suffer from the same thing, so that's easy to understand. Is your child eating and eliminating properly? If not, it could be a problem.
Pain
Is your child in pain? Fibromyalgia strikes indiscriminately - young or old. Children can also suffer from a common problem called growing pains. Or even muscle cramps from a day of sports or playing too hard can be a cause of discomfort and sleeplessness.
Sleep Disturbers
Other sleep disorders including sleep apnea and restless legs --- children can be victims of any and all. Bad dreams, wetting the bed or a fear of doing so) grinding the teeth, asthma or heartburn. The list seems endless. Check out each and every possibility and eliminate it, and you'll be on the way.
And, when all else fails, a little extra love and cuddling and go a long way towards a good night's sleep - for both child and parents.
SLEEP APNEA
Many people think of sleep apnea as a disease of adulthood, and especially of adults over fifty years of age. It's also thought to be more prevalent in men. But, the truth is, anyone can get sleep apnea, from premature infants to senior citizens.
PREEMIES
In the premature infant, central apnea is the most common. This is the apnea caused when messages from the brain never reach the nerves and muscles that control breathing. The respiratory center in a premature infant's brain is not yet mature. It's common for them to have brief episodes of apnea while sleeping.
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