Sleep Problems in Teens

There seems to be a growing trend of teenagers suffering from sleeping disorders due to a change in behavior brought about firstly by physiological changes within the body due to the onset of puberty and secondly, by a dependence on new technology in their lives. This is been the conclusion of several studies conducted by various institutions such as the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center.
Indeed, it has been shown that teens are sleepier than younger children or older adults. It would appear that an average teenager requires between nine to ten hours of sleep a night. However, according to a study published in the Journal of School Health, 90% or more of teenagers don’t get the necessary amount due to a variety of factors such include homework, extra-curricular activities, social demand and most importantly, the use of computers and other electronic gadgets.
It seems that every person possesses an internal clock which influences factors such as body temperature, appetite, hormonal changes and also sleep patterns. The biological, psychological and physiological processes that follow the cycle of this 24-hour internal clock are called circadian rhythms. Before adolescence, these circadian rhythms direct most children to naturally fall asleep around 8 or 9 p.m. But puberty appears to be one of the triggers that change a teen’s internal clock, delaying the time he/she starts feeling sleepy. This is a form of sleep disorder known as delayed sleep phase syndrome. Sleeping later also means you want to wake up later in the morning.
Another form of sleep disorder common among teenagers would be sleep apnea. This is a condition where the teenager temporarily stops breathing during sleep. A third disorder is chronic insomnia, which is a condition where a teenager has difficulty falling asleep or is unable to get uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.
We should ensure that our teenager is given a chance to live a full and healthy lifestyle as the consequences of sleep deprivation can be serious. It has been proven that tired teens find it difficult to stay awake in class which in turn affects their ability to concentrate and absorb what is being taught in class. This will eventually affect their grades in school. Studies have proven that teens who get sufficient sleep tend to score more As and Bs compared to when they don’t get enough sleep.
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