Children’s bodies need a natural sleep process to function properly. However, many children experience insomnia and sleep disorders, which can lead to a variety of health and behavioral problems.
Causes and pathogenesis of sleep disorders and insomnia in children
Insomnia and sleep disorders can be caused by many factors. Stress and anxiety are among the most common causes. A child, for example, may be worried about conflict with friends or moving to a new home. At night, when there are no distractions, anxiety and worry may increase. This can lead to the child not falling asleep and starting to think about problems.
Mental illness can cause serious sleep problems in children. For example, depression can lead to insomnia, panic attacks can lead to agitation and insomnia, and personality disorders such as autism can lead to impaired ability to fall asleep.
Typically, a regular sleep cycle includes periods of slow-wave sleep followed by intervals of REM (rapid eye movement sleep) or paradoxical sleep. This cycle repeats 4-6 times per night, with longer periods of slow-wave sleep preceding shorter periods in the early morning. The main role of slow-wave sleep is to replenish energy and electrolyte balance in the brain, while REM sleep facilitates the processing of information acquired during the day. Sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, can disrupt this natural cycle, affecting both the quality and duration of sleep.
Lack of slow phase sleep reduces testosterone and growth hormone production and alters spinal blood flow. Lack of the fast phase can lead to psychological and concentration problems.
Classification and symptoms of sleep disorders in children
Dyssomnias are disorders related to the initiation, quality, and duration of nighttime sleep. They can occur for many reasons, including stress, improper daily routines, medical problems, and others. Dyssomnias most common in children include:
- Restless sleep is a condition in which a child wakes up frequently during sleep and is unable to fall asleep.
- Insomnia is when a child has trouble falling asleep and/or rising, feels exhausted during the day, and other symptoms.
- Delayed sleep phase syndrome is a condition in which a child goes to bed and wakes up later than usual.
Hypersomnias is a condition in which a child experiences excessive amounts of sleep, as well as abnormal daytime sleepiness, lethargy, and prolonged awakening after sleep.
In children, the most common types of hypersomnias are:
- Narcolepsy is a disease that causes severe daytime sleepiness,recurrent hallucinations and sleep paralysis.
- Certain clinical conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and some others.
Parasomnias are pathological phenomena that occur in sleep, such as bedwetting, teeth grinding, sleepwalking, nightmares and others. They can be caused by many factors such as stress, poor nutrition, illness and so on. The clinical manifestations of parasomnias may vary from child to child, but the following types are the most common:
- Enuresis is abnormal urinary incontinence during nighttime sleep.
- Teeth grinding is the silent or noisy grinding of teeth.
- Sleepwalking is abnormal sleep wandering that can occur at any time of the night.
- Nightmares are frightening dreams that can cause a child great fear and anxiety.
Treatment of sleep disorders
Many factors, including illness, stress, and mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and autism, can lead to sleep problems in children. Sleep problems in children with mental illness can worsen symptoms and affect their daily lives.
The child’s behavior and symptoms during the day, such as irritability, poor concentration and memory problems, are the first step in diagnosis. For a more accurate diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe sleep tests such as polysomnography.
Medications are not always necessary to treat sleep disorders. In some situations, conservative methods and psychotherapy are quite effective. Medications, such as melatonin, and psychotherapy (such as family or cognitive-behavioral therapy) can help improve psychological well-being and sleep.
How to help your child on your own
Not all sleep disorders require medication. Normalizing daily routines, eating habits and sleep hygiene are the first steps in treating this condition.
Daily routine
One of the most effective ways to help a child with sleep disorders is to create a proper daily routine. You can use the following guidelines to do this:
- Arrange for walks before bedtime if there is a lack of movement.
- The child should sleep in a comfortable, moderately soft, large and flat bed.
- Make sure that the bed does not cause discomfort and that the child lies in a natural and relaxed position.
- Avoid reading, computer or video games, watching television, etc. an hour before bedtime. These things can excite your baby and prevent him or her from falling asleep.
- Your baby should always sleep in darkness and quiet with blinds and curtains closed. This helps the child fall asleep more easily and maintain deep sleep.
- Go to bed and get up at the same time in the morning. This will help your child establish a routine and fall asleep and wake up more easily.
Nutrition against sleep disorder
Nutrition also plays an important role in improving sleep. Consider the following recommendations:
- Avoid foods containing caffeine and stimulants such as coffee, most teas, colas, tonic drinks, chocolate and others.
- Your child should not eat dinner late, it is better to eat dinner three hours before bedtime.
- Help him choose the right food for dinner – dairy and vegetable dishes without spicy seasonings can help improve sleep quality.
- Avoid taking medications just before bedtime, except for sedatives.
Conclusion
Sleep disorders in children are a serious problem that can hamper their development and daily life. The causes of these disorders can range from stress and anxiety to mental illnesses such as depression or autism. It is important to diagnose sleep problems in a timely manner, based on the child’s symptoms and behavior, and to provide comprehensive treatment, which may include both medication and non-medication methods, such as psychotherapy and correction of the daily routine.
For effective treatment of sleep disorders, an important role is played by proper dietary habits, observance of the daily regimen and creation of comfortable conditions for sleep. Every child is unique, and the treatment approach must be individualized to restore healthy sleep and support your baby’s overall well-being.
