Childhood Insomnia (Confusional Arousals).Pdf
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Confusional Arousals Confusional Arousal: confusion during and Diagnosis following partial arousals from sleep, most Diagnosis begins with a careful medical history typically from the deep (NREM) stages of sleep. to determine whether the arousals are secondary to It is a parasomnia in which a person behaves in another health condition, or a side effect of certain a confused way because they are not fully awake medications. Providing a two week sleep log of your or asleep. It is very common in children, although sleep habits (or your child’s) and possibly video tapes some adults experience them. will demonstrate the episodes to your doctor or sleep specialist. An overnight sleep study will be key to conclusively identifying this sleep disorder, which can look similar to sleepwalking and sleep terrors. The sleep study involves an overnight polysomnogram, which records brainwaves, muscular activity and breathing during sleep. The sleep study Features may also record your sleep on videotape. This parasomnia occurs during periods of transition from sleep, either while waking up, or just Treatment after waking. For this reason, Confusional Arousals Behavioral Modification is an important part has been labeled as one of three “classical” arousal of treating Confusional Arousals in both adults and disorders, along with Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors. children. Incorporating Healthy Sleep Habits will Episodes evolve gradually after a cycle of eliminate unnecessary interruptions during sleep. deep sleep, usually in the first third of the night. Limiting or avoiding the use of alcohol, especially Sometimes they arise later in the night, or after a nap. during the evening hours may also help. Parents can Confusion results from a brain that is divided between take specific measures to ensure their child’s safety wakefulness and sleep. You are still in the process of during an episode. Keep in mind that your child will not waking up! Behavior may include: confused thinking, remember the episode. slowed speech, poor memory, or incomplete responses > Respond in a calm, reassuring manner to avoid to questions. frightening her. Parents may find episodes in their children to > Try not to awaken your child. be bizarre or frightening, if they do not know what to > Watch over your child until she returns to sleep. expect. The child may be agitated or appear dazed. Medication may be helpful for severe or Episodes last an average of 5 to 15 minutes, but can persistent episodes. Antidepressants or last for one half hour or more. sleeping pills may be prescribed. A variation of confusional arousals called Severe Morning Sleep Inertia affects teens and adults. Behavior is similar to confusional arousals except that episodes occur in the morning. Also known as sleep drunkenness, this variation tends to affect people consistently every morning, for years. Because the episodes last for longer than just a few minutes, consequences such as traffic accidents and poor job or school performance are common. I have been told that I behave in a Do I Have My behavior upon awakening has way that is confused or strange when been described as inappropriate or Confusional Arousals? abruptly awakened by others. not making sense. I have been told that I behave in a My behavior upon awakening has way that is confused or strange when This pattern of behavior occurs on been described as aggressive or I awaken on my own. a regular basis. hostile. c. 2011 Mary Ouimette-Kinney, Editor www.sleepmedicinecenters.com (716)92-DREAM www.sleepmedicineeducation.com (877)53-SNORE AskTheDoc Confusional Arousal Mechanics Sleep specialists define sleep according to stages, or degrees of sleep. The brain Risks for Confusional Arousals behaves differently during each sleep stage. P Age (children and adults under 35 Confusional arousals occur during stages 3-4 of years of age) NREM sleep, the deepest sleep. NREM sleep P Rotating shift work is not associated with much dreaming, so the arousals are not nightmares or vivid dreams. P Sleep deprivation P Stress Part of the brain remains asleep while areas P Bi-polar and depressive disorders involved with movement, thinking, and emotion P Other sleep disorders become “awakened” or activated. They are not activated enough to render the person P The use of psychotropic medications fully conscious of their words and actions, P Renal (kidney) failure nor is the episode likely to be remembered. P Drug abuse P Being forced into wakefulness Effects of Confusional Arousals P Injury to oneself P Injury to bed partner or others P Destruction of nearby property P Increasingly worse episodes Need more information? Visit the SleepMedicine Education web site at: sleepmedicineeducation.com for additional publications. See also: SleepIssues: “Things That Go Bump” “Children and Sleep” SleepGuides: “Treating Sleep Disorders” To schedule an appointment at any Sleep Medicine Centers location, visit www.sleepmedicinecenters.com or call: (716)92-DREAM (877)53-SNORE There is a family history of partial arousals in up to 60% of cases, according to studies cited in the Principles and Practices of Sleep Medicine. Did You Know? Agitated arousals of all types are common in children, affecting In 2004, the European Journal of The American Academy of Sleep 17.3% of children between 3 and Pediatrics reported a prevalence of Medicine reports that as many 13 years of age, according to a sleep apnea in 13% of individuals as 17% of children experience large Canadian study published in with confusional arousals vs. 2% Confusional Arousals. Pediatrics 2000. without confusional arousals. c. 2011 Mary Ouimette-Kinney, Editor www.sleepmedicinecenters.com (716)92-DREAM www.sleepmedicineeducation.com (877)53-SNORE .