The children and adolescents we treat may have difficulty falling or staying asleep, or excessive sleepiness during the day. In a third of cases this is not only a question of habits, and certain disorders need to be ruled out. The issues we usually treat include:
Disorders
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
This is a common problem that occurs when the child’s breathing stops while they are sleeping. It occurs because the respiratory tracts are totally or partially obstructed.
It is not covered by public health
Night terrors and somnambulism
These are some of the most common parasomnias or disorders. They can occur at various stages of sleep in the form of short or partial waking episodes.
It is not covered by public health
Narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness may be due to this rare pathology, also called hypersomnia, which causes involuntary sleep episodes.
It is not covered by public health
Restless legs
Spontaneous and uncontrollable movements of the legs during rest or just before sleep. It affects the quality of sleep.
It is not covered by public health
Rhythmic movement during sleep
Involuntary movement of the whole body that affects the patient until they fall asleep. If the problem is ongoing, treatment may be necessary.
It is not covered by public health
Chronic illnesses
Sleep disorders can be caused by allergies, asthma, diabetes, gastro-oesophageal reflux, epileptic seizures, cancer and neurological pathologies.
It is not covered by public health
Diagnostic tests
In cases where we believe it is necessary to confirm or eliminate disorders or pathologies, we conduct some of the following tests:
Multiple latency test
This is done in cases of excessive sleepiness during the day. This involves taking several sleep recordings at 2-hour intervals, always on the day after a nocturnal polysomnography is carried out.
It is not covered by public health
Nocturnal polysomnography
This is a recording of a night’s sleep. Several physiological variables are evaluated during the patient’s stages of sleep, such as eye movements, breathing, brain electrical activity, etc.
It is not covered by public health
Actigraphy
Indirect study of the sleep architecture through the patient’s physical activity and movements. A watch-like measurement device is worn for several days. It is a harmless test.
It is not covered by public health