SLEEP PROBLEMS IN CHILDHOOD

Introduction:Many behaviours of children are attributable to the kind of sleep they have,because sleep is a central nervous system phenomenon,that influences on the intellectual capabilities.Though the problem can occur at younger age,it is significant only after age 5 when definite signs symptoms can be assessed by doing an I.Q.test.
Following are manifestations of different types of sleep disturbanses:
1)sleep apnea:cessation of breathing for few seconds during sleep.
2)over sleeping(more than for his age)
3)under sleeping(does not sleep more than an our continuously,but may like to sleep repeatedly in the day.
4)dreams;In quiet refreshing sleep there is no dreams which are burried thoughts deep in the unconscious mind trying to surface to the sub conscious mind.
5)REM sleep-rapid eye movement sleep.
6)SEM sleep -slow eye movement sleep.This is wanted &refreshing.
7)sleep walking-somanabulism.
8)Bed wetting in sleep at night( after age 5 for practical purpose)
9)Teeth grinding in sleep (wrongly believed to be due to worms!
10)Narcolepsy (sleeps more in day time &night time.Gets often comulsive sleep
on a sudden onset
11)EEG recordable abnormalities in sleep
12)jet -lag.
SOLUTION:All these disorders are due to a dis turbance in the flow of electrical transmission in an abnormal way,disrupting the normal BIOLOGICAL CLOCK. For every body function there is a biological clock system in the body.For example in jet lag ,we cross 2-3 time zones in a short period,while flying in an air craft for a long distance.So the condition reflex already functioning is shattered resulting in ,head ache,drowsiness,inattentiveness etc.So only way to set right is to go to an experienced pediatritian,or a psychologist.or a specialist in sleep medicine(available in CHENNAI) Psychological counselling,psycho pharmacological drugs are often prescribed by doctors after finding out the causewhich is the hall mark in ultimate management of any illness.