ANCSLEEP BLOG

How Much Sleep Do Children Need?

Children need at least nine hours of sleep, up to about 17 hours for newborns [Baby Center]. A lack of sleep for children can significantly impact children's performance, both in school and in behavior.

What are Parasomnias?

A parasomnia is an abnormal (“para”) sleep (“somnia”) or sleep cycle (circadian rhythm). Parasomnias are considered disruptive sleep disorders that occur during sleep. The most common parasomnias are:

Nightmares and Night Terrors Also Terrifying for Bystanders

Have you been witness to your child or spouse's nightmare or night terror? It may have been just as scary for you as it was for them. The words "helpless" and "heartbreaking" come to mind. Being able to distinguish the difference between a nightmare and a night terror will help you better understand:

What is Sleep Apnea in Children

Sleep apnea is a medical condition where you stop breathing many times throughout the night and, in consequence, momentarily wake up throughout the night. Symptoms of sleep apnea in children are also the same as adults, though you might describe some of the symptoms more in "child" terms:

You've gotten pokes and prods in the rib from your partner in the middle of the night to wake you from sleep. He or she rolls over and groggily moans, "You're snoring again." After months of this repeated ritual, you begin to wonder: Do I have sleep apnea?

Why Alaskan Winters Can Be Bad for Sleep

Much of the year in Alaska, we live in either the extreme darkness or extreme lightness. These extreme lighting conditions affect our lives in many different ways:

What is a Sleep Study?

Sleep studies are important diagnostic tools for common sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, circadian and rhythm disorders. Sleep studies have proven to be particularly important in Alaska where the extreme darkness and lightness tend to either cause or worsen sleep disorders.

What is a Sleep Study

Sleep studies are important diagnostic tools for common sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, circadian and rhythm disorders. Sleep studies have proven to be particularly important in Alaska where the extreme darkness and lightness tend to either cause or worsen sleep disorders.

One of the greatest risks of having an untreated sleep disorder is the prospect of getting into a car crash while fatigued. Many individuals who have sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or restless leg syndrome experience bouts of drowsy driving. In fact, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drowsy driving is related to more than 1,500 deaths per year and at least 100,000 motor-vehicle crashes.

Different Ways Alaska’s Extreme Lighting Conditions Affect Life

Other than a few months out of the year between “spring” and “fall” in Alaska, living here poses unique sleeping related to either receiving mostly (or only) daylight or mostly (or only) darkness. These extreme lighting conditions affect our lives in many different ways, most of which can be very disruptive towards sleep.