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Do You Know Whether Your Child Has a Sleeping Disorder?

Children who are excessively tired during the day or have problems concentrating at school, seem unable to retain information, or who are hyperactive, may be suffering from a sleep disorder.  Approximately 25% of children have a sleep disorder and difficulties can range from behavioral to physical and be elusive to pin down to a specific cause.

When dealing with children, it is not ideal to turn to medication.  Drugs for children have not always been extensively researched and most parents prefer to avoid medication altogether.  There might be many emotional reasons why your child is not sleeping properly and these might range from nightmares or fear of the dark; a disorder associated with going to sleep or a resistance to limits being set.

Physiological causes for a child not sleeping properly could include asthma; developmental problems; ADHD2 and ADD or even more likely, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), sometimes simply known as sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea causes the child to cease breathing many times throughout the night, due to obstruction in the airway.

Sleep disorders in children might be accompanied by all kinds of behavioral symptoms such as aggression; anxiety; a short attention span; plain naughtiness and disobedience.  A doctor is usually able to identify the cause of a child being unable to sleep properly through medical history and a detailed physical examination.

A child might suffer with poor sleeping patterns as a result of not adapting to sleeping alone or coping badly with transferring form a cot to a bed.  Insomnia or waking frequently throughout the night could be the result of a sleep-onset disorder.  For instance, if the child is accustomed to being rocked or fed before sleep, this ritual being withdrawn could cause the child to have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.   If a child constantly disrupts throughout the evening by demanding water; stories and general parental attention, it is important that a routine be resumed as soon as possible and a strict bedtime maintained to recover a beneficial sleeping time.  A child may be taught to self soothe over time and if parents persevere, problems are usually easily overcome.

In the event of behavioral strategies not working, your child might require screening with a sleep doctor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, especially for a child snoring. If the child is also overweight, OSA is even more likely. A polysomnography test will determine whether the child has a sleep apnea causing behavioral and physical problems and there is an effective, drug free remedy at hand.

Dr. Avi, Director of Aviisha Medical Wellness Institute says, “Symptoms of sleep problems in children should not be ignored in the hopes that they will simply grow out of it. Most sleep problems can be quickly and effectively treated, which will improve quality of life for the whole family.”

Observe sleep problems in children carefully and note signs of insufficient sleep; bedtime resistance; frequent awakenings; especially snoring or difficulty in breathing. Take the opportunity to discuss symptoms with your doctor or sleep specialist to achieve more restful nights!

The Aviisha Medical Wellness Institute in Los Angeles is recognised as a pioneer in
sleep apnea diagnosis
and treatment. Patients are tested for sleep apnea either in the comfort of their own home or in the Aviisha Los Angeles sleep labs. Aviisha provides the most advanced and thorough treatment for sleep apnea and provides patients with discounted rates for auto CPAPs and other sleep aids.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sleep-articles/do-you-know-whether-your-child-has-a-sleeping-disorder-1531236.html

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