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Health and Wellness Magazine • 37 DiD you know? as many as 30 percent of 2- to 5-year-olds and 15 percent of 6- to 12-year-olds have sleep disorders. "and that's an underestimate, because sleep disorders are still under- recognized." – Dr. Evelyn Bolt, board-certified pediatric and adult sleep specialist, North Suburban Medical Center Call us today 303.575.0055 are you or a loved one in need of a doctor? We're here to help. a HealthoNE representative can answer your questions and help you find the right physician, close to home. And, as social changes continue sabotaging youths' sleep today, such as high athletic and academic pressures, early school- start times and an increased use of electronics, the studies are particularly concerning, Cuevas says. "I've seen all of those affecting sleep more and more." need For expert guidance With the host of problems that can disrupt sleep, and the potential for misdiagnosis, seeing a sleep specialist is critical, Cuevas says. "Because they often present with neuro-behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity, irritability and mood issues, some kids might be misdiagnosed with ADHD or bipolar disorder when, in fact, they might be having an underlying sleep problem." Sleep experts have access to the latest diagnostic and treatment methods, offering comprehensive sleep evaluations that look at the whole child, including physical, psychiatric and social histories. "And we involve the whole family," Cuevas says. Parents should have any sign of sleep trouble, such as waking up tired or falling asleep during the day, in a child evaluated, he says. Reno, whose son has fallen asleep in class, has even gotten teachers involved in his treatment. "It's really hard," Reno says, adding that her 17-year-old daughter has sleep troubles, too, partly because she's always on the alert for her brother. "You don't know what to expect from night to night. I've literally had to baby-proof everything," storing kitchen knives out of reach, double securing doors to the outside. "He even has a bell on his bedroom door." Her best advice to other parents dealing with child sleep issues is to seek expert guidance. "And just be patient. It takes a lot of time." protECting tHEir slEEp ContinuEd froM pagE 33 sleep disorders Can Rob Kids (and Parents) of sleep many sleep disorders can affect children at any age. Here's a quick look at three common problems pediatric sleep specialists see: insomnias with the limit-setting subtype of childhood insomnia, children refuse to go to bed, sleeping well once they finally relent. more commonly, kids suffer from the sleep-association subtype of childhood insomnia, where they need something, most often a parent, to fall asleep. a variety of behavioral techniques are used to treat these issues, which affect parents' sleep, too. therapy can take several weeks. obstructive sleep apnea when this affliction strikes in the 2- to 6-year-old range, it's often due to tonsils or adenoids obstructing air passages. surgical removal sometimes solves the issue, but if not, alternative treatments include supplemental oxygen therapy, manipulation of the palate and jaw by a dentist who specializes in sleep medicine, or a cpap (pressurized oxygen) mask. treatment is crucial, as the disorder has been linked to serious health issues, such as stroke and heart disease, in adults. parasomnias these include sleep walking and sleep terrors, which involve episodes of screaming and crying in a fully asleep child who appears to be awake. For both, parents are told to not wake the children, but to ensure they are safe. although the episodes can be scary for parents, there's no known psychological cause, and children generally outgrow parasomnias by age 12. in severe cases, medication might be prescribed.