Daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating at school or trouble falling asleep could be signs that your child has a sleep disorder. Fortunately, the sleep medicine specialists at Bogan Sleep Consultants in Columbia, SC, can offer effective treatments and strategies for common childhood sleep disorders.

Signs that could mean that your child has a sleep disorder

Childhood sleep disorders affect how long and how well your child sleeps. Your son or daughter might have a sleep disorder if you've noticed any of these signs:

  • Sleep Issues: Children who have sleep disorders may try to delay going to bed. Once they're in bed, they may have trouble falling or staying asleep and may wake often during the night.
  • Snoring: Although many children snore when they have colds, frequent snoring can be a sign of sleep disorder.
  • Lack of Energy: Is your normally active child tired or lethargic? Poor sleep could be to blame.
  • Breathing Pauses: If your child stops breathing momentarily throughout the night, he or she may have sleep apnea.
  • Moodiness: Children who don't get enough sleep may be moody, irritable or emotional.
  • School Problems: Your child's grades may have suddenly dropped or the teacher may mention that your child isn't paying attention or falls asleep during class.
  • Difficulty Waking Up: Your son or daughter may be reluctant to leave his or her bed without enough sleep.
  • Other symptoms: Childhood sleep disorders may also cause teeth grinding, sleepwalking, nightmares, night terrors or bedwetting.

Types of childhood sleep disorders

Common sleep disorders include:

  • Insomnia: Insomnia makes it difficult to fall asleep and remain asleep for long periods.
  • Sleep Apnea: Sleep apnea causes breathing pauses that can last several seconds and increase the risk of serious health conditions.
  • Restless Leg Syndrome: Restless leg symptoms cause uncomfortable feelings in the legs that make it impossible to sit or lie still.
  • Parasomnia: Nightmares, night terrors and sleepwalking are types of parasomnias that interfere with your child's sleep.
  • Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome: A problem with your child's body clock could make it difficult to fall asleep at bedtime.
  • Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy can cause daytime sleepiness or may make your child suddenly fall asleep with no warning.

Treatment for childhood sleep disorders at the Columbia, SC, sleep medicine office vary depending on the cause but may include sleep hygiene suggestions and strategies, devices or medication.

Could childhood sleep disorders be to blame for your child's symptoms? Call (803) 251-3093 to schedule an appointment with your sleep medicine specialists in Columbia, SC at Bogan Sleep Consultants.