Screen / Test Your Child / Teen for Major Pediatric Sleep Disorders:

Bed-Wetting

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Insomnia

Narcolepsy

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Restless Legs Syndrome

Sleep Talking

Sleep Terrors / Night Terrors / Nightmares

Sleep Walking

Snoring

Teeth Grinding

Sleep Apnea
Sleep Disorders - Keyword Definitions
Menstrual-Associated Periodic Hypersomnia
This form of hypersomnia is characterized by reocurring episodes of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) or lengthened nighttime sleep. It is different from feeling tired due to lack of sleep or interrupted sleep at night. People with hypersomnia are compelled to nap repeatedly during the day, often at inappropriate times such as at work, during a meal, or in conversation. These daytime naps usually provide no relief from sleepiness. They often have difficulty waking from sleep and feel disoriented. Other symptoms may include anxiety, increased irritation, lethargy, restlessness, slow thinking, slow speech, loss of appetite, hallucinations, and memory difficulty. Some people can not function in family, social, occupational, or other settings. Hypersomnia may be caused by another sleep disorder (such as Narcolepsy or Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)), dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, or drug or alcohol abuse. In some cases it results from a physical problem, such as a tumor, head trauma, or injury to the central nervous system. Some medications, or medicine withdrawal, may also cause hypersomnia. Certain medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, depression, encephalitis, epilepsy, or obesity may contribute to the hypersomnia. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to hypersomnia, and in others, there is no known cause. Hypersomnia typically affects adolescents and young adults.
Stimulant Medication, such as Ritalin or Dexadrine may be prescribed for hypersomnia. Other drugs used include clonidine and antidepressants. Changes in behavior (for example avoiding night work and social activities that delay bedtime) and diet may improve this condition. Patients should avoid alcohol and caffeine.
The prognosis for persons with hypersomnia depends on the cause of the disorder. While hypersomnia itself is not life threatening, it can have serious consequences, such as causing automobile accidents by falling asleep while driving. The Sleep Attacks usually continue indefinitely.
Mixed Apnea
There are three types of apnea: · Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) · Central Sleep Apnea · Mixed Apnea Mixed apnea is a combination of central and obstructive apnea and is more commonly seen in infants or young children who have abnormal control of breathing. Mixed apnea may occur when a child is awake or asleep, whereas Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) only occurs when a person is asleep. If you think your child/adolescent may have some form of apnea, go to www.Sleepdisorderhelp.com and click onto the “Screening by Parents” menu and complete the Sleep Disorders Inventory for Students. Sleep apnea can be very harmful to your child’s health and safety, as well as causing learning and behavior problems, so you do not want to ignore it.
 
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