Is it true that we need less sleep as we get older?This is a great myth. The amount of sleep that we need generally does not change as we age but instead our ability to obtain that sleep changes. Further, we know that sleep lightens with age. During lighter sleep it takes less of a stimulus to cause arousals and awakenings. Sleep apnea is more common as we get older which further disrupts sleep continuity.
Indeed our sleep needs do not change but as we age we need to work harder to get it.
What is a Polysomnogram?Polysomnography is a complex evaluation of a patient during sleep. Functions monitored include: EEG, cardiac and respiratory function, air-flow through the nose and mouth, and movement of the eyes, chin, chest and legs.
How is the examination performed?A specially trained technician will conduct the evaluation. The tech applies electrodes to the scalp and skin. Once in bed, the techs apply an oxygen sensor to the finger and straps around the chest and stomach areas. Sleep patients are monitored trough these electrodes and sensors.
How long will the examination last? An overnight study starts at 8:15 p.m. and usually ends by 7:00 a.m the following morning. In some cases, a nap study immediately follows an overnight and ends at 4:30 p.m.
When will I know my results?The final report of your Polysomnogram will be sent to your physician. You will receive a follow-up appointment at the Center during which results of the study and treatment options will be discussed.
My daughter comes home from school every day and sleeps for 2 hours, no matter how much sleep she gets at night. Could this be a sign of narcolepsy?Most people with narcolepsy can fall asleep in almost any situation and usually if they sleep for 5 to 10 minutes they can be quite alert until the next sleep attack. Narcolepsy can be diagnosed very easily in an overnight sleep study with a series of next day naps. This is something that should be discussed with your physician.
My son is 3 years old and has periods each night when he cries uncontrollably. When I go in to calm him he fights with me and is completely unresponsive. This is not like him. He is the sweetest most pleasant child during the day. What's wrong? Sleepwalking and night terrors often occur in young children and they tend to disappear by adolescents. They occur during the deepest stages of sleep, which means often within the first hour of the night. Because the child is still asleep he or she often will not respond to the parent's attempts at quieting and often can be combative. This is commonly seen in children who are giving up naps or who are overly tired. A helpful solution may be to find the child's favorite music and bring it in to the child's room during these episodes to allow the child to quiet himself. In addition, pay close attention to the amount of sleep that the child is getting and make sure that they are getting an adequate nap.
I am very sleepy at bedtime but find that once my head hits the pillow my mind races like a locomotive. I am then unable to sleep for several hours. What can I do? An important question to ask yourself is whether or not you are able to sleep solidly once asleep. In other words is your problem simply one of falling sleep. If you are able to sleep solidly it means you do not have difficulty sleeping you have difficulty relaxing. Tension, anxiety and difficulty relaxing are major impediments to being able to fall asleep. There are a variety of relaxation techniques that can be used to help in this regard.
My son is 3 years old and snores like a grown man. At times I find him sleeping on all fours with his head almost in a frog like position. Is this normal?While it is most common in adults, sleep apnea certainly can occur in children. Children who are constant mouth breathers often will snore excessively at night. In adults sleep apnea often results in people feeling excessively sleepy. In children sleep apnea can result in shortened attention span in symptoms of ADHD. Your child may have severe sleep apnea and is elevating his head off the bed in an attempt to breathe. This should be discussed with your child's pediatrician.
1 of 9 "Ask The Doctor"
Is it true that we need less sleep as we get older?
This is a great myth. The amount of sleep that we need generally does not change as we age but instead our ability to obtain that sleep changes. Further, we know that sleep lightens with age. During lighter sleep it takes less of a stimulus to cause arousals and awakenings. Sleep apnea is more common as we get older which further disrupts sleep continuity.
Indeed our sleep needs do not change but as we age we need to work harder to get it.
