While not uncommon, sleep disorders in children can present challenges both for the child and their family members if left unaddressed. As the leading sleep wellness center in Anacortes, WA, the clinic at Island Hospital is staffed by experts who can address and treat sleep disorders in both adults and children. Here, they shed some light on common sleep afflictions which tend to affect children.

Sleep conditions can lead to symptoms such as bedtime refusal, night terrors, sleepwalking, irritability, and excessive tiredness. While many individuals perceive childhood sleep conditions as a stage which children can outgrow, it’s always a good idea to identify the root cause of any of the symptoms listed above, as they could impact school performance, physical development, and social interaction.

In some cases, these conditions are resolved by getting a few more hours of sleep per week. Nonetheless, not all issues are resolved so easily. In certain cases, the root cause of sleep problems could be traced to issues such as obstructive sleep apnea, childhood insomnia, or delayed sleep-phase syndrome, a condition in which a child’s internal clock isn’t aligning with conventional bedtimes.

To prevent problems such as falling asleep in school, irritability, or health concerns, a professional evaluation can be used to identify the reason behind your child’s troubles. Most importantly, if there’s a concern such as upper airway obstruction, it can be identified at a sleep wellness center, allowing you to address the issue and avoid serious health risks. While it’s possible that your child may be a candidate for tonsil or adenoid removal, sometimes dietary changes are enough to provide the nutrients needed to regulate sleep.

If your child is experiencing sleep issues, contact the caring professionals at the Sleep Wellness Center at Island Hospital by calling (855) 440-4200. You can also learn more about the facility’s emergency room and walk-in clinic services by visiting their website.