Posts Tagged ‘sleep apnea’
Avoiding Toddler Bedtime Problems — Toddler Sleep -
Avoiding Toddler Bedtime Problems
If sleep can be hard for grownups from time to time, it’s no wonder that toddlers — who have trouble winding down in any situation — have their bouts with restless nights. The good news is that with help from you, these restless phases don’t have to last long. Here’s a look at some of the most common reasons for bedtime problems and some tips on how to remedy them.
Lack of bedtime routine. This has to be the most common — and most easily remedied — roadblock to nightly bliss. Toddlers are creatures of habit. As chaotic as your family schedule may be (and whose isn’t?), setting up a comforting and consistent bedtime routine that starts early enough to ensure sufficient z’s is worth the trouble. The beauty of it is that it doesn’t have to be trouble. In fact, the simpler, the better. The three Bs — bath, bed, and books — are all you need, customized to fit your family, of course. Once your little one comes to expect bath time, followed by one or two stories, followed by a cozy tuck-in, she’ll see it as just another part of her day. It will be a bumpy adjustment at first if she got used to the routine of her nonroutine, but make it sweet, make it relaxing, make it predictable, and she’ll soon go along happily. Learn more about the best bedtime routines for toddlers
Baby Sleep Specialist – Dana Obleman’s Child Sleep Center
Baby Sleep Specialist
If your baby does not seem to be sleeping well, you may need the help of a baby sleep specialist. With backgrounds in child development and psychology, these professionals can provide you with plans and guidelines that will help your baby get the sleep he or she desperately needs. Sleeping Through the Night
Contact An Expert Baby Sleep Specialist
Toddler Sleep Disorder
Toddler Sleep Disorder
Do you think your toddler might have a sleeping problem? A toddler sleep disorder is not uncommon. Many children have the same issues with sleep as adults. Many sleeping disorders are inherited, others stem from illnesses such as infections and colds. Sleep Sense is here to help. We know how hard it can be to get your child to sleep enough, or perhaps they sleep too much. Sleep Sense researchers have put together a book on just this topic, and we offer tips on what sleeping disorders are and how they can affect your sleep.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children – March 1, 2004
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
Overview – What Is a Sleep Specialist?
Sleep Specialist Overview
A sleep specialist is a medical doctor who has completed additional education and training in the field of sleep medicine. Sleep medicine focuses on sleep, sleep disorders, and sleep-related conditions, and is a subspecialty within several medical specialties, including neurology, pulmonology, internal medicine, and psychiatry.
Sleep Apnea
The most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that you may notice include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Waking with an unrefreshed feeling after sleep, having problems with memory and concentration, feeling tired, and experiencing personality changes.
- Morning or night headaches. About half of all people with sleep apnea report headaches.2
- Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth at night.
- Swelling of the legs.
- Getting up during the night to urinate (nocturia).
- Sweating and chest pain while you are sleeping.
Herbal Tea Sleep Study
A common criticism of conventional medicine is that it’s too clinical. Some patients feel like they’re simply cogs in a massive medical machine that needs repair. This is one of the unintended consequences of relying too heavily on the cold, hard facts provided by science alone. On the other hand, alternative medicine can sometimes go too far in the other direction, allowing emotions to run the show. Several years ago I attended a conference in which the famed cancer patient advocate Dr. Bernie Siegel gave a presentation. He emphasized the importance of considering every available treatment option and understanding the reality of one’s condition. But he balanced that advice by adding this, “Statistics do not apply to individuals and there is no false hope”.
When I was compiling research for today’s blog, I began to pull studies that evidenced the many hazards of sleep deprivation. Normally, I would cite those scientific trials at the end of the paragraphs that make up my column. But two things happened recently that shaped how I’m writing today’s particular entry. I discovered some coverage about SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. One of the presentations there caught my eye. It was entitled, “Sleep Disturbance and Daily Relationship Quality in Couples: Evidence for Bidirectional Associations”.
A bidirectional association is basically a chicken and egg kind of circumstance. If a couple isn’t getting along, it negatively affects their sleep quality. However it’s also true that poor sleep, no matter what the cause, is damaging to relationships. But here’s where it gets more interesting and specific.
- Women’s sleep tends to suffer the most if daytime interaction with their mate is stressful or unfulfilling.
- Men who sleep soundly at night rate their relationship as more positive during the day.
Having Your Child Evaluated for Sleep Apnea
HAVING YOUR CHILD EVALUATED FOR OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
If you suspect that your child has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you may want to consult first with your child’s primary care provider (usually a pediatrician or family physician) and share your concerns. You may also choose to consult with an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist or ENT) or a pulmonologist (a specialist in lung problems) who deals with children. Sometimes, because of the hyperactivity, inattentiveness, aggressive behavior, irritability, and mood swings associated with pediatric OSA, a mental health provider, such as a child psychiatrist or psychologist, or a neurologist may be the first to recognize the problem. However, before seeing any specialist for an evaluation, you should check with your insurance company as you may need a referral or have to go to a specific provider.
Doctors who specialize in sleep medicine may also practice in your area. They have usually trained under other sleep specialists and/or studied sleep medicine through a residency program, continuing medical education (CME) courses, and scientific meetings. Physicians certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine have passed standardized tests on both pediatric and adult sleep disorders. You should ask any doctor or health care provider about his/her credentials and experience, especially in dealing with children. You should be satisfied with the explanations and how it will be diagnosed and treated in your child’s particular case.
Sleep Apnea Treatments
Sleep Apnea Treatments
Sleep apnea treatments range from conservative measures — such as losing weight if you are overweight or changing sleep positions — to surgery.
Sleep Apnea and Other Causes of Fatigue
Behavioral Modifications for Sleep Apnea
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10 tips for better sleep
10 tips for better sleep If you’re having trouble sleeping, change your sleep habits for a better night’s rest. By Mayo Clinic staff
Feeling crabby lately? It could be you aren’t getting enough sleep. Work, household responsibilities and child care can make sleep difficult to come by. Factor in other unexpected challenges, such as financial worries, layoffs, relationship issues or an illness, and quality sleep may be even more elusive.