Night Terror

Night terror or terrors is a sleep disorder that typically occurs in children aged three to twelve. The peak for night terror seems to happen when the child is three-and-a-half years old. Night terror, which occur during non-REM sleep are very different than nightmares, which occur during REM sleep and they usually start approximately 90 minutes after the child has fallen asleep.

Night terrors are very frightening episodes and are accompanied by intense crying and fear in the child with a difficulty in waking them. An estimated 1 to 6-percent of children experience night terrors and boys and girls are both affected equally.

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Night terror may be caused by a stressful time in the child's life, fever, sleep deprivation, and medications that affect the central nervous system. The symptoms of night terror the child will experience range in intensity from child to child and not all children will feel all symptoms.

The symptoms of night terror include weakness, inability to focus or concentrate, extreme exhaustion, passing out or feeling like they are going to pass out, heart palpitations, dizziness, vertigo, and shortness of breath. A doctor should be seen for night terrors as they affect the child's ability to carry on normally throughout their day.

A doctor should be seen if a child is experiencing: extreme exhaustion that seems to be very sudden, exhaustion that is not relieved by proper sleep, proper rest, or removal of stressful situations, exhaustion that is unexplained. In addition, a doctor should be seen if the child feels as though they're going to pass out, has unexplained weight changes, menstrual irregularities, any new masses, lumps, or bumps, and mild to moderate pain in the head, chest, or abdomen.

Night terrors cannot be treated but the exhaustion that is experienced from it can be. A doctor may recommend several kinds of treatment for this exhaustion. These include iron supplements for anemia, medications and machines for sleep apnea, medications to control blood sugar, thyroid medications, antibiotics to treat infection, vitamins, recommendations for dietary changes and a good exercise program.

Although night terror disorder cannot be treated by itself there are steps that can help prevent them. Helping the child manage stress by talking to them about any new changes in their life or stressful situations may help prevent night terrors. Getting exercise is also important. Any new exercise programs introduced should be fun and should be started slowly.

Tell a doctor about any medications that are being taken and ask if they can interfere with sleep. Make sure that the diet is balanced and that the diet includes a good breakfast with whole grains, fruit, and milk.

Also, add more fruits and vegetables to the diet. Caffeine should be avoided at all times but especially after six o'clock in the evening. Having a bed routine and going to bed at the same time every night may help prevent night terrors. Adults who suffer from night terror and also want to prevent them should stop smoking and avoid drinking alcohol.