Child Sleep Deprivation - Sleeping Problems In Children

Child Sleep Deprivation - What Are The Causes And Symptoms?

A good night's sleep is a must for everyone. If your child has sleep disorders you should take it very seriously. Sleep deprivation can result in very harmful effects on your child. The symptoms of child sleep deprivation could be indicators of several other disorders in your child such as weakened immune system, diabetes mellitus, anxiety, stress, depression, obesity, hindered mental as well as physical development and many more!

So watch out the signs and symptoms of sleeping problems in your child. Children between the age of three to five years should sleep for anywhere around 11 to13 hours each day. Young children going to school should sleep for 10 to11 hours each day. If your child sleeps for less than his requirement, it could affect him in a number of ways. Studies show that lack of sleeping can even result in learning problems. That is, the child would perform badly in the school due to not having enough sleep.

There could be various causes of sleep deprivation in the child. It could be due to some stimulants in his bedroom or due to his eating habits. Say, for instance if the child consumes much of the caffeine (coffee, chocolates) during the day it would reduce his sleep. Especially before going to bed this would affect his sleep adversely.

If the child faces disturbed sleep, it would also result in no sleep. So make sure the child is not disturbed after he is sleeping. Also a number of other factors such as environment in the school and home, behavior of friends and parents affect the child's sleep.

Children suffering from sleep deprivation either experience too many difficulties while going to sleep, or stay asleep or simply have an incomplete sleep through out the night.

As regards the symptoms there are many and can differ according to cases. Some of the more common ones are irritability, frequent changes in moods like depression and hyperactivity, difficulties in concentration, decrease in memory, aggressiveness and many more.

Lack of appropriate sleep or sleep disorders need to be dealt immediately as they can also cause physical and cognitive problems in the child. So, treatment for sleep deprivation is really a matter of concern.

But before going for any kind of medication, the parents should realize that a proper diagnosis to ascertain the cause of the sleep disorder is very essential. Find out if child is suffering from too much of stress at school? Watch out his dietary habits and notice changes if any.

Some of medications for sleep deprivation are benzodiazepines, hypnotic sedatives, benzodiazepine receptor agonists and sedating antidepressants. These medications however should always be used as a short term solution as if used for a longer time they can become habits. You can make use of behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and yoga as well to improve your child's sleep.

Some lifestyle changes on the part of the parents can also help to cure child sleep deprivation. This includes setting up a daily routine before sleep, avoiding waking up too late in the night and also if possible sleeping with the child occasionally.