· Log in

Children are also prone to sleep disorders

Written by: David Castillo on March 18th, 2010

Children are also prone to sleep disorders | read this item

The Cookeville Regional Medical Center is experiencing an influx of young sleep disorder patients (individuals from the age of 3, 6, and 7).

The age group’s sleep problems range from sleep apnea to snoring, respiratory problems, and restless leg syndrome. The hospital has already set up a new pediatric room with facilities specifically customized for children.

“Ten or 15 years ago you couldn’t hardly find a lab that did children’s sleep disorders. I’ve been in this (business) for about 20 years and we used to never see children,” explained Paula Applegate, the sleep lab manager. “Now you’re seeing a mainstream lab that has found a specific need to add this kind of room.”

Applegate says that 10 percent of the Sleep Center’s patients are children, and the number is consistently growing.

“Weight is an issue with these kids, but they’re coming from all directions,” she described. “We see a lot of respiratory disorders and movement disorders, not to mention seizures. And we’re actually seeing more teachers asking for parents to have their children tested for behavioral issues.”

The symptoms of sleep disorders among children are similar to ADHD. And studies even suggest that more than 50 percent of ADHD cases are actually misdiagnosed. According to Applegate, drowsiness and lack of endurance are often indicators that a child has sleep apnea.

She explains: “Kids don’t respond to fatigue like adults do. They tend to bounce off the walls when they’re tired. And then you get all the cognitive programs or learning disorders because they’re exhausted all the time.”

Applegate says that most sleep disorders are the result of poor sleeping habits, which is common among children.

Source: Herald-Citizen

GoodKnight420GNasalCPAP