KIDS & SLEEP DEPRIVATION A SERIOUS NATIONAL HEALTH THREAT!

MENTAL & PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION

According to the National Sleep Foundation, two-thirds of American children age 10 and younger have sleep problems setting the next generation up for serious physical & mental health issues.

After reading this information ask yourself if we can afford it?

SLEEP DEPRIVATION HAS SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR CHILDREN

MILWAUKEE (3/6/2008) – the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sleep loss and sleep disorders are chronic conditions for an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans.

Sleep is especially important for children. Lack of sleep has been linked to serious health issues and poor school performance in children and adolescents and irritability and overall fussiness in infants and toddlers. According to the National Sleep Foundation, two-thirds of American children age 10 and younger have sleep problems.

Infants (newborn to 18 months)
Sleep needed: 10 to 18 hours of sleep a day (including naps).

Toddlers and preschoolers (19 months to 4 years)
Sleep needed: 11 to 14 hours a day (including naps).

School-aged children (5 to 12 years)
Sleep needed: nine to 11 hours a night.

Teens (13 to 18 years)
Sleep needed: 9 hours a night.

www.chw.org/display/ppf/docid/28018/islisting/yes/thispage/1/newsnavid/39911/router.asp

Sleep Loss Is Linked To Obesity.

Sleep loss can contribute to weight gain and obesity by triggering the hormones that regulate appetite and hunger. In other words, inadequate sleep may cause children to overeat.

Sleep Loss Is Linked Diabetes.

Sleep loss can also affect the ability to metabolize sugar and trigger insulin resistance, a well-known factor for diabetes.

Sleep Loss Is Associated With Anxiety And Depression.

Insomnia is a significant risk factor for depression. It also contributes to anxiety by raising corstisol, the stress hormone.

Sleep Loss May Impede Physical Development.

The highest levels of growth hormone are released into the bloodstream during deep sleep. Because sleep deprivation results in a decrease in the release of growth hormone, height and growth may be affected by a lack of sleep.

Sleep Loss Affects Immunity.

Several nights of poor rest can hamper a child’s immunity.

Sleep Deprived Children Are More Accident Prone.

A lack of sleep has an adverse affect on motor skills.

pediatrics.about.com/od/sleep/a/06_pt_slp_dpvd.htm

EXCELLENT VIDEOS ON SOLUTIONS TO SLEEP DEPRIVATION IN KIDS

These are excellent informational videos on sleep deprivation & helping kids get to sleep. They point out that it is sleep deprivation that leads to misbehavior from your child. How true!!! If you have read my book PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA? – OUR SEROTONIN NIGHTMARE! you know how critical sleep is to mental health, as well as physical health, throughout life making sleep habits one of the most important of all routines parents can help their kids set early in life.

If I can pass on any health advice that will establish the best health throughout life it would be the great importance of learning about sleep & how it affects you mentally & physically! And sleeping pills are NOT the answer as they to not give you the deep restful sleep you need. They only work like an anesthetic to knock you out. Diet & exercise are certainly important, but do little good without deep restorative sleep! Of course all those are linked together making it difficult to have one without the other…but sleeping in step with nature’s circadian rhythm is paramount to good mental & physical health throughout one’s life!

video.healthination.com/usnews/kids-sleep.html?s_cid=related-links:TOP

www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/sleepdeprivedkids.jsp

About the Author: Ann Blake Tracy is the author of PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA? –OUR SEROTONIN NIGHTMARE!, and the director of the International Coalition For Drug Awareness [www.drugawareness.org]. She has testified before the FDA and has testified as an expert in legal cases involving serotonergic medications since 1992.

BOOK: Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? – Our Serotonin Nightmare! Anything you ever wanted to know about antidepressants is there along with everything drug companies hope you never find out about these drugs. SAFE WITHDRAWAL CD “Help! I Can’t Get Off My Antidepressant!” on how to safely withdraw from antidepressants & most psychiatric medications is saving lives! Both available at www.drugawareness.org

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