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Restless children move a lot - often in their sleep
Millions of Germans suffer from sleep disorders. Many children are affected too. In some cases, illnesses can be the reason that the little ones do not come to rest at night - for example, the so-called Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
When the legs move in their sleep
Children move a lot, even in their sleep this is not the case and nothing unusual. But there are also diseases, such as the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), in which it comes to disrupting the restful night sleep by the movement of the legs. This is reported by the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies e.V. in a communication published by the Informationsdienst Wissenschaft (idw).
Sleep disorders are widespread - even among children. In some cases, diseases can be the cause, for example, the Restless Legs Syndrome. (Image: S.Kobold / fotolia.com) Restless legs syndrome in children
The Restless Legs Syndrome can affect people of all ages.
"This disease also occurs in children, but is often not recognized. Only when the uneasiness prevents falling asleep, the symptoms are quickly recognizable, "said Barbara Schneider, senior physician of the Center for Pediatric and Youth Medicine at the Children's Hospital St. Marien in Landshut.
"Often, however, it is sensations that the children report and not the urge to move, which is disturbing for them," says the expert.
This is usually misinterpreted as a "growth pain". Just how often RLS symptoms can be found in children is being investigated by a survey of primary school children.
The first results will be presented at the 25th annual conference of the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM) from 9.-11. November 2017 presented in Münster.
Illness can not be cured
Health experts say RLS can not be cured. In the treatment is often an improvement in sleep quality in the foreground.
Sometimes drugs are used here. But natural measures can also contribute to the improvement of sleep hygiene.
In addition to light sports, relaxing techniques such as autogenic training, yoga, meditation or progressive muscle relaxation can be used.
Some people also rely on Chinese therapy for restless legs.
Parasomnia in childhood
Undesirable activations of the nervous system occurring during sleep are referred to as parasomnias. These can be conscious or unconscious. These include night terrors, sleepwalking and nightmares.
According to the AWMF note, these parasomnias occur frequently in childhood and usually have no organic cause.
"A difficulty in the occurrence of parasomnias is to be able to delineate epileptic seizures, which in childhood can occur only sleep-related and sometimes give a similar picture," said Schneider.
Parents are equally affected by their children's sleep disorders. On the other hand, parents can work to prevent their children from sleeping.
"It is important to understand that parents have the main influence on the regulatory capacity of their children," says the pediatrician.
Predisposition to sleep disorders
If you want to avoid that little children do not sleep, a good parent training is particularly important.
However, recent findings from genetics also suggest that in some families there is a predisposition to sleep disorders that can continue into adulthood.
Our environment and the changing challenges of our modern society are the second factor that plays a crucial role.
How much the new digital world, with all its possibilities, has an effect on our sleep-wake-rhythm, and how we manage to keep our sleep healthy in a healthy way, is also the subject of current research.
Basic human need
The DGSM, which has set itself the task of investigating and improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, calls for a different awareness of what they see as the underestimated basic human need for sleep.
And rightly so. Because sleep disturbances can result not only tiredness, headaches and concentration disturbances, but also serious health problems.
According to health experts, sleep disorders increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, mental illnesses such as depression and the weakening of the immune system.
Furthermore, a scientific study by the University of Duisburg-Essen showed that sleep disorders can also increase the risk of stroke.
Those affected should urgently do something about it.
Tips for a better sleep
Some can help you with some simple tips to sleep through.
A healthy lifestyle and the absence of late food, coffee, nicotine, alcohol and intensive sports in the evening are beneficial for a restful sleep.
It is also helpful to observe regular sleep times and to reduce your weight if you are overweight. Sleeping pills or tranquilizers are usually discouraged, but it makes sense to use various home remedies for sleep disorders.
For example, a calming tea made of passionflower or chamomile has proven to be effective in relieving tension. Relaxation techniques for stress relief can also be effective. (Ad)