There are various sleep disorders that are prevalent in children and major part of it can be attributed to their fear of the dark. The children who have fear from the dark suffer from the worse sleep disorder. However, night terrors are the worst condition in which the child gets up screaming in terror to free from a frightening dream.
Various sleep disorders are listed below that lead to many problems in children.
Sleep Talking or Walking: This is one of the most common sleep disorders in children. Medical name of sleep walking is ‘somnambulism’. Though it is not harmful but needs special care on part of the parents for the children so as to provide them a safe and healthy environment. Both the disorders i.e. sleeping with open eyes and talking while sleep may seem weird but there is nothing unusual and usually do not cause any harm to the children.
Bruxism: Bruxism which is gnashing and crushing the teeth at the time of sleep. It is very disturbing and irritating sleep disorder and may end up in causing dental problems in children.
Head Banging or Rolling: Most of the children are head bangers or rollers, particularly when they are lacking sleep. Generally it is a harmless habit and they will grow out of it before they gain maturity.
Bedwetting and Enuresis: Bedwetting is also most widespread sleep disorder in most children. But it is very humiliating as well as embarrassing for children and troublesome for parents particularly when children grow older. This is usually a medical problem and is treated mainly with the doctor’s prescription.
Gastroesophageal Reflux (Or Heartburn): It is also known as heart burn in simple terms and is common in both children and adults. It can be hazardous, especially for children who are sleeping. Actually, in this type of disorder the acids in the stomach might regurgitate into the throat at the time of sleeping. Also, it may be an indication of some underlying medical problem which might need surgery.
Restless Leg Syndrome or Periodic Limb Movement: Both these disorders are very distressing for parents as well as the children. In this the sufferer has an urge to move the leg, which causes insomnia, sleepwalking and night terrors.
Nocturnal Seizures or Nocturnal Asthma: Seizures and asthma are terrifying problems at anytime. Nocturnal seizures and Nocturnal asthma are troublesome for both parents as well as children as they lead to sleep disorder and many other problems. In either of the case, it is essential that the child is taken under a proper medical care.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): It is the deadly and the worst sleep disorder and is abbreviated as SIDS. Due to SIDS many children die and is commonly known as crib death. Its treatment and cause is not much known by the doctors.
This is just a brief overview regarding various children sleep disorders. Some of which are not harmful while some may prove deadly, so it is must to seek the help of a qualified practitioner if your child is facing any of the sleep disorders.
