Adolescence has its own set of teenage sleep problems that are unique to this age group. With everything else in their lives turned upside down and topsy-turvy, it's little wonder that teens have sleep problems, too.
As many as 30 percent of all teen-agers suffer from a sleep disorder, studies show. When children go through puberty, their internal clocks shift, causing teens to feel sleepy about two hours later than normal. Many teens start staying up late, but they still have to get up early in the morning. Most high schools start by 7:30 a.m., requiring millions of sleepy teens to awake to alarms around 6:30 a.m.
In addition to biological reasons, many teens have not yet perfected the art of managing their schedules. Without putting much value on a regular sleep schedule, teens are notorious for cramming for tests, pulling all-nighters to finish projects and sacrificing sleep for almost any reason.
Studies suggest that teens actually need more sleep than adults, but they get far less. Teens should get at least nine hours of sleep each night. Catching up by sleeping in on weekends doesn't count.
Sleep Deprivation in Teens
While some teens may suffer from sleep deprivation because of a sleep disorder or circumstances beyond their control, others are sleep deprived by choice. Mismanaging their time, or simply choosing to stay up late watching TV or surfing the Internet is a common problem with teens.
Not getting adequate sleep or sleep deprivation can cause:
Insomnia in Teens
Some teens suffer from occasional insomnia, the inability to fall asleep, due to stress, medication, illness or travel. In rarer cases, long-term insomnia can cause serious health risks and a doctor should be consulted.
Symptoms of insomnia include:
Apnea, Narcolepsy and Other Serious Sleep Disorders in Teens
Some serious sleep disorders are dangerous, as well as causing a general lack of quality sleep.
Sleep apnea, a disorder in which a person's breathing stops briefly while asleep, is normally caused by an enlarged tonsil, obesity, or a blockage in the throat, nose or mouth. Sleep apnea sufferers often snore, sweat and have labored breathing during a night's sleep.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder in which the sufferer suddenly falls asleep without control. Narcoleptics can fall asleep while in school, at work or while driving a car, making it a serious sleep disorder.
Parasomnia, a sleep disorder in which muscle activity occurs while the sufferer is asleep, can cause dangerous sleep-walking and night terrors.
Teens with symptoms of a serious sleep disorder should consult a doctor.
How to Deal With Sleep Disorders in Teens
The best thing a teen can do to deal with sleep disorders is to try to regulate sleep as much as possible. Some tips:
 | Growing kids need sleep and lots of it. Occasional sleep interruptions are a normal part of growing up, but persistent childhood sleep disorders and conditions should be discussed with your doctor. |
 | Night terrors in children can be scarier for parents than for kids, who often have no memory of the experience. It's usually best to just let them pass, but you may need to take some precautions to keep your child from getting hurt. |
 | Although rare, some toddlers suffer from sleep disorders that may require a doctor's care or a change in family routine. |
A new baby sister, the neighbor's barking dog, a blaring fire alarm, shadows on the wall, whatever it is that causes them, childhood nightmares are common. |
A bed wetting alarm is a small buzzer that attaches to the underwear, setting off a signal when it gets wet. There are also bed wetting alarm pads that sound an alarm when touched by moisture. |
