The Missing Link Between Disabilities And Sleep Disorders

Everybody knows how poor sleep quality impacts our life. Not having a good night's sleep for months can affect our physical and mental health. But what about people with physical or intellectual disabilities? According to research, such people have poorer sleep quality compared to others. There is a link between disability and sleep quality.

In this article, we discussed the link between sleep issues and disabilities, common types of sleep disorders and how to sleep better. If your dear ones have a disability and suffer from poor sleep quality, contact a sleep specialist in OKC.

Connecting Disabled Children With Sleep Problems

According to the research by Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics, children with disabilities, including muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and cerebral palsy, have poor sleep quality compared to other kids. The caregivers have informed that children with disabilities wake up during the night more frequently than others.

Disrupted sleep quality affects both the mental and physical health of these kids. Children with disabilities take 37 minutes longer to fall asleep. Contact a sleep specialist immediately if you notice such issues for a longer time.

The Connection Between Adult Disabilities And Sleep Problems

Like children, adults with intellectual or physical disabilities also suffer from poor sleep quality. According to research, they experience narcolepsy, insomnia and daytime drowsiness due to disrupted sleep. RRTC has shown that nearly 40% of adults with disability experience long-term sleep issues.

The Connection Between Disabilities And Sleep Problems

• Cerebral Palsy and Sleep Disorders

People with abnormalities in their posture, tone and movements due to the interruptions in brain development have cerebral palsy. According to research, 23% and 46% of children with this intellectual disability can’t get proper sleep at night. Pain, immobility and seizures are the reasons which keep them awake at night most of the time. They mainly suffer from nightmares, sleep anxiety and insomnia.

• Down Syndrome

This genetic disorder mainly occurs due to trisomy 21. That means when the three copies of chromosome 21 come together, trisomy 21 happens. The symptoms of this syndrome are moderate intellectual disability, delayed physical growth and particular facial features. They also have sleep problems, including obstructive sleep apnea. They may experience restless sleep, snoring and daytime sleepiness. Only a sleep specialist can help the patient to get better sleep at night.

• Kleefstra Syndrome

Kleefstra Syndrome mainly occurs because of a particular mutation that cannot function correctly. In this disorder, children experience a delay in both intellectual and physical development. The main symptoms are hypotonia and limited speech. People with such conditions get disrupted sleep at night like other genetic disorders.

How Can Sleep Specialists Help Disabled People To Improve Their Sleep Quality?

We have mentioned erstwhile that both children and adults with disabilities have lower sleep quality. They experience difficulties in getting asleep and waking up often during the night. But there are ways to improve sleep quality so they cannot feel drowsy throughout the day.

• Autistic people should exercise regularly.

• People with ASD must go to bed and wake up simultaneously every day.

• They should turn off the lights in bedrooms to get sleep quickly.

Whenever you notice that your child cannot get sound sleep at night for months, contact a sleep specialist near you quickly to resolve it.

What Are The Types Of Sleep Disorders?

There are several types of sleep disorders. Individuals can experience any one of them based on their sleeping patterns and other medical problems. The following sleep disorders are restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea and hypersomnia.

Keep in mind that if an individual doesn't get enough sleep for longer, they can also experience other physical problems, including diabetes, obesity, mood disorders, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Better Sleep, Better Health

Now, you have understood the importance of getting sound sleep. Therefore, seeing a sleep specialist is essential if you can't sleep properly for months. To learn more about sleep disorders, you can google the best sleep specialist near me and find an expert near you. However, we, TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Oklahoma City, can also guide you in this matter thoroughly. Contact us at 405.947.0044 to get a free schedule.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of the patient-doctor relationship.