A sleep disorder is any condition or complication that negatively affects your ability to sleep soundly. Adults are supposed to sleep between seven and nine hours per day, but children need more according to the National Sleep Foundation. Understand the sleep disorders that most commonly affect children and how they can be treated effectively by a sleep doctor at Bogan Sleep Consultants, LLC in Columbia, SC.
Why Children Really Need Their Rest
When they are first born, children need between 14 and 17 hours of sleep per day according to data published by the National Sleep Foundation. That number changes to about nine to 11 hours for school-aged children. A child generally needs more sleep than an adult because their bodies and minds are still developing and growing. Sleep promotes healthy growth and keeps the brain functioning optimally. It gives kids the energy they need to be physically active throughout their day and process their thoughts to be effective in school. It can also provide health benefits, boosting their immune systems and reducing the effects of stress.
Common Childhood Sleep Disorders
When a child is having trouble sleeping, it’s an issue that needs to be identified and resolved as quickly as possible. These are a few of the most common sleep disorders that are treated by the specialists at Bogan Sleep Consultants, LLC in Columbia, SC:
- Sleep apnea (waking many times during the night due to air passage obstructions).
- Night terrors, nightmares, or sleepwalking (also called parasomnias).
- Behavioral insomnia (difficulty getting to sleep caused by anxiety or hyperactivity).
- Unhealthy sleep patterns caused by environmental factors, such as living in an area that’s noisy or disruptive at night.
Sleep Disorder Remedies and Treatments
The sleep doctors at Bogan Sleep Consultants, LLC have a number of solutions for parents who believe their children are struggling with a sleep disorder. Here are courses of treatment that you’ll discuss:
- A sleep test, such as a Polysomnogram (PSG) or Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT).
- CPAP mask or an oral appliance (for sleep apnea).
- Weight loss and nutritional consultations.
- Referral for behavioral therapy and recommendations that will promote better sleeping habits.
Partner with Your Child’s Sleep Doctor
Both adults and children need the help of a sleep doctor when they are struggling with sleep disorders. Call (803) 251-3093 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Richard Bogan at Bogan Sleep Consultants in Columbia, SC.
