Common Causes Of Night Terrors In Children
Night Terror, Pediatric
A night terror is an episode in which a person who is sleeping becomes extremely frightened and is unable to fully wake up. When the episode is finished, the person normally settles back to sleep. Upon waking, he or she does not remember the episode.
Night terrors are most common in children between the ages of 3 and 12, but they can affect people of any age. They usually begin 1 to 3 hours after the person falls asleep, and usually last for several minutes. Night terrors are not nightmares. Nightmares occur in early morning and involve unpleasant or frightening dreams.
CAUSES
Common causes of this condition include:
A stressful physical or emotional event.
Fever.
Lack of sleep.
Medicines that …show more content…
Being dazed or confused and not talking.
Being unaware of your presence.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition is diagnosed with a medical history and a physical exam. Tests may be ordered to look for other problems.
TREATMENT
Most children eventually stop having night terrors by the time they reach adolescence. If a child has night terrors often, waking him or her about 30 minutes before night terrors usually start might help prevent them from continuing. If a child has severe night terrors, medicines may be given temporarily.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
General Instructions
Keep your child's bedtime and wake-up time consistent.
Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
Remove anything in the sleeping area that could hurt your child.
If your child has bunk beds, do not allow your child to sleep in the top bunk.
Help limit your child's stress. Relax and comfort your child at bedtime.
Let your family and babysitters know what to expect.
Give medicines only as directed by your child’s health care provider.
What To Do During Episodes
Stay with your child until the episode passes.
Gently restrain your child if he or she is in danger of getting
A night terror is an episode in which a person who is sleeping becomes extremely frightened and is unable to fully wake up. When the episode is finished, the person normally settles back to sleep. Upon waking, he or she does not remember the episode.
Night terrors are most common in children between the ages of 3 and 12, but they can affect people of any age. They usually begin 1 to 3 hours after the person falls asleep, and usually last for several minutes. Night terrors are not nightmares. Nightmares occur in early morning and involve unpleasant or frightening dreams.
CAUSES
Common causes of this condition include:
A stressful physical or emotional event.
Fever.
Lack of sleep.
Medicines that …show more content…
Being dazed or confused and not talking.
Being unaware of your presence.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition is diagnosed with a medical history and a physical exam. Tests may be ordered to look for other problems.
TREATMENT
Most children eventually stop having night terrors by the time they reach adolescence. If a child has night terrors often, waking him or her about 30 minutes before night terrors usually start might help prevent them from continuing. If a child has severe night terrors, medicines may be given temporarily.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
General Instructions
Keep your child's bedtime and wake-up time consistent.
Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
Remove anything in the sleeping area that could hurt your child.
If your child has bunk beds, do not allow your child to sleep in the top bunk.
Help limit your child's stress. Relax and comfort your child at bedtime.
Let your family and babysitters know what to expect.
Give medicines only as directed by your child’s health care provider.
What To Do During Episodes
Stay with your child until the episode passes.
Gently restrain your child if he or she is in danger of getting