Pediatric Insomnia Treatment Clinic in Bloomington, IL

Childhood insomnia is a condition that causes children to have difficulty falling and staying asleep. Because sleep is vital to health and well-being, children who are unable to get enough sleep are at risk for a range of problems, including academic difficulties, behavioral issues, and physical health problems. While it is more common in adults, children can develop chronic insomnia; an estimated 10 percent of adolescents (ages 10 to 19) have chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia is characterized by trouble sleeping regularly (several times per week) for several months in a row.

In addition to chronic insomnia, many younger children also experience occasional sleep disturbances, which can interfere with their daily functioning. Factors such as stress, anxiety, environmental changes, or medical conditions like allergies and asthma can contribute to sleep difficulties. Insomnia in children is often overlooked because it may manifest as behavioral issues, mood swings, or trouble concentrating at school. Recognizing the symptoms early on is crucial to providing the necessary support and treatment. If left untreated, childhood insomnia can lead to long-term effects on a child’s physical and mental health, including weakened immune function and difficulty regulating emotions. With proper care and intervention, most children can overcome insomnia and develop healthy sleep habits for better overall development.

The symptoms of pediatric insomnia are slightly different from the symptoms for adult insomnia. Children exhibit symptoms of insomnia differently for a number of reasons. For example, fatigue typically causes brain fog and lack of concentration in adults, whereas children more often exhibit signs such as increased fussiness and whining, as well as lack of excitement. In addition to this, children may also experience the following:

– Behavioral health issues like depression or problems concentrating (may resemble ADHD)
– Difficulty falling back asleep once awake
– Excessive drowsiness or grogginess during the day
– Resisting going to sleep
– Worrying about nighttime
– Trouble falling asleep
– Waking up during the night
– Waking up early (before sunrise)

While an occasional night or two of poor sleep is normal for most children, constant sleep disturbances or unusual symptoms that frequently prevent a good night’s sleep are a cause for concern and should prompt parents to seek help from a medical specialist. Schedule a consultation if your child:

– Struggles to get to sleep
– Struggles to stay asleep
– Feels tired in the day, even after a full night’s rest
– Has difficulty doing regular daytime activities
– Snores loudly
– Struggles to stay awake when inactive
– Has difficulty paying attention or concentrating
– Has performance problems at school
– Has difficulty remembering things
– Has slowed responses
– Has difficulty controlling their emotions

Treatments for childhood insomnia are customized to each child’s condition and may include a combination of therapies and lifestyle changes, as well as dietary changes or supplement recommendations. Primary insomnia, which occurs without a known cause, can be more complex to treat; treatment for secondary insomnia, in which the cause is known and identified, involves addressing the underlying concern. Therefore, treatment plans can look very different from one child to the next. In cases where the cause is unknown, the initial recommended treatment is lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes, changing sleeping environment/improving sleep hygiene, and increasing levels of physical activity.

In some cases, our sleep specialist may recommend over-the-counter medicines or supplements. These are useful in various situations, including for relieving nasal congestion (improving airflow during sleep) as well as for reducing the symptoms of restless legs syndrome (iron deficiency is linked to RLS). Several therapies, such as CPAP, oral appliance, and TENS, are also safe and effective for the treatment of childhood insomnia.

If your little one is struggling to get a good night’s sleep, bring them to Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders. Our sleep specialists are dedicated to improving your child’s quality of sleep so you can sleep easily, too. Contact our team of professionals for more information or visit us online to book an appointment. We are conveniently located at 2309 E. Empire St. Ste 500 Bloomington, IL 61704.