Nightmares or Night Terrors?

Night Terrors….what are they?

I’d like to clarify one main point, nightmares and night terrors are two different things. In fact, they are very different. On a basic level, nightmares are dreams that a person can vividly remember when they awake. Night terrors, also known as sleep terrors or pavor nocturnus, are not “dreams”. Night terrors are a frightening sleep disorder in which a person becomes terrified during sleep, then has no recollection of the event after they fully awake. Night terrors happen during deep non-REM sleep. Unlike nightmares (which occur during REM sleep), a night terror is not technically a dream, but more like a sudden reaction of fear that happens during the transition from one sleep phase to another.

When a night-terror episode occurs, the person will partially wake up screaming, moaning, or gasping for air. Most of the time, the subject cannot be completely awoken, nor comforted. It’s difficult to wake up someone during an episode, and if left alone, most will simply settle back to sleep without waking. The person usually has no recollection of the episode whatsoever.

Symptoms of Night Terrors

You can usually tell if a person is having a night terror by the yelling and screaming. Needless to say, it’s no fun for the significant other having to deal with the disorder. Other symptoms include:

• Sweating
• Fast Breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• A look of fear or panic
  
• Large pupils
• Confusion

Who are most likely to get Night Terrors?

These Night terrors are most common in younger children from the ages 2 through 6 years old, but it can occur at any age. They affect about three percent of children. Episodes usually occur during the first couple hours of sleep, and persist for a couple of weeks. Then, they seem to fade away. The good news is that most children will outgrow night terrors. The number of episodes usually decreases after age 10.

However, this does not mean that everyone will outgrow night terrors. Unfortunately as I had mentioned before, adults can experience this problem, too. Although not as prevalent in adults, many older people complain of night terrors when sleeping on their backs.

What Causes Night Terrors?

One cannot definitively say what causes night terrors. In children, emotional stress, high fever, or lack of sleep seem to cause it. Also, evidence has shown that night terrors can be hereditary.

In adults, stress and lack of sleep seem to be triggers, as well as emotional tension and the use of alcohol.

What should be done During a Night Terror?

As difficult as this may be (practically impossible if you ask me), do not wake up the person having a night terror. Try not to intervene. Let the person scream it out. Unless the person is in danger, do not restrain him or her. If you do try to hold the person, this may make the episode worse.

How Can Night Terrors be treated?

As mentioned before, most children will outgrow night terrors. But in the mean time, night terrors are mostly treated by:

• Gentleness and comfort
• Disposal of anything nearby that can potentially be harmful
• Avoidance of loud movements or voices that might frighten the person further

Although usually unnecessary, in some cases doctors may advise other treatment options, such as counseling or psychotherapy.

I can’t sleep! (Sleep tips for children)

As adults, sleep is something we do not take for granted. With busy schedules and hectic lives, sleep is something we all wish we had more time to do. Unfortunately children, for the most part, don’t feel the same way. We’ve all experienced it, not wanting to go to bed, wanting to watch T.V., or wanting to stay out.  So we know first hand how it’s like to not want to go to bed. Having children who have a hard time falling asleep can be difficult to deal with. So if you’re finding that it’s difficult to put your child to bed, try some of these tips.

 

• Your Environment: Making sure your atmosphere is properly set can help you sleep better. Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet.

• Go out and Play: Exercising can help. Running around and playing for a few hours before bed will help your body get ready to get some rest.

• Set Bed Time: Making sure you go to be the same time each night is crucial. Your body adjusts to a certain schedule, so if you’re going to sleep on a set schedule, you’re body will comply.

• Avoid late night meals: It’s okay to have a small snack before bed. When you sleep, it’s time for your body to rejuvenate. So if you’re going to bed with a full stomach, you’re creating more work for your body when it should be resting.

• Avoid Caffeine: Caffeine is found in several different foods and beverages. Avoiding the consumption of caffeine (sodas etc… in the late afternoons and evenings will make it easier to sleep that night.

• Routine Routine Routine: Many people have a bedtime routine. Whether it’s reading a book (story), listening to soft music, taking a hot bath, etc…. Just like having a set schedule, once you set a routine, it’s easier for your body to know when it’s time to sleep.

As stressful as our days can be, its children who need to be receiving the best quality sleep. Millions of adults alone suffer from sleep disorders. Poor sleep habits from a young age may have been a contributing factor to developing a sleep disorder. Unfortunately intervention is not prevention, prevention needs to be done at a younger age. Spreading the awareness of the importance of sleep may help the younger generations avoid serious health risks for the future.

 

 

 

For more information “Children and Sleep” please follow the link

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep