The study revealed that children may suffer from two types of headaches. Episodic headaches are headaches that occur in episodes, coming and going with no discernable pattern. Chronic headaches are marked by long duration, by frequent recurrence over a long time, and often by slowly progressing seriousness. Headache-Migraine Glossary
Children who suffered from chronic headaches were prone to awaken frequently during the night and early morning. Those who suffered from episodic headaches had problems with snoring and with movement disorders, including restless leg syndrome.
Some of the children studied progressed from episodic headaches to chronic headaches. This, again, is one of those endless circles we see so often in sleep disorders, one disorder or disease feeding off the other. In this case, headaches may cause disturbed sleep and sleep deprivation, while the lack of sleep, in return, causes more headaches.
Whether your child suffers from headaches or sleep disturbances, good hygiene is a must. This should include:
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Set a regular time for going to bed and getting up.
- Allow ample time to sleep, at least eight to ten hours, depending on the age of the child.
- Sleep in the same room and bed every night, if possible.
- Keep noisy disruptions like phones, TVs and radios out of the bedroom.
- Beds should be reserved for sleeping.
- Don't eat a heavy meal within three hours of bedtime. Drink a glass of warm milk if you're hungry.
- Avoid caffeine near bedtime. This includes cola drinks and chocolate
- Get some exercise earlier in the day.
- Keep night lighting to a minimum, especially in the bathroom.
- Bedrooms should be neither too warm nor too cold.
- Develop a sleep ritual, a certain routine you do every night.
- Take a hot bath just before retiring.
PARENTAL CONFLICT AND STRESS
One thing that can cause both sleep disturbances and headaches is stress. Stress can come from many causes - worry over school issues, peer pressures, illness or a death in the family, especially if that death has been a violent one.However, a second study, this one a joint study done Auburn University in Alabama and Brown University in Providence, RI, suggests that one of the biggest causes of stress in a child's life is parental conflict.
The researchers discovered that children in higher conflict homes, although they went to sleep at the same time as those in lower conflict homes, slept less and didn't sleep well. They spent less time in bed, and tossed and turned in their sleep. Much of this was detected using an Actigraph, a small electronic device, worn by an individual that records and reports levels of activity as well as calories burned, limb movements, and sleep levels. These children also reported being sleepier during the day.
Parental conflict is, of course, normal in any family. Dr. Mona El-Sheikh, Ph,D says that it’s the way parents handle their conflict is important. They should take into consideration how this conflict may be impacting their children.
Reduce the stress in your home and in your child's life for a more rested, happier, healthier child.
