It is difficult to believe but it is true that children, who outwardly do not seem to have any reason for not being able to sleep, can suffer from a variety of sleep disorders. These disorders are harmful to proper growth and development since they cause abnormalities in the child’s sleep pattern. The body is unable to rest and recuperate from the strains that it has had to undergo during the day. The child may become inattentive, restless, or even hyperactive during the hours that he is awake due to lack of proper sleep at night. Amongst children, there are a variety of sleep disorders that prevail.

Sleep Disorders in Children

1. Sleep Apnea – Children who are overweight or have bloated tonsils are vulnerable to sleep apnea. The symptoms exhibited by a child suffering from sleep apnea range from snoring to waking up several times during the night to breathing irregularly.
2. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder – Children who have ADHD are more likely to exhibit signs of periodic limb movement disorder. It can also be a result of iron deficiency.
3. Hypersomnia – Some children are affected by the reverse of sleep deficiency which is also known as hypersomnia. The symptoms exhibited by these children include sleeping for periods greater than 10 hours at a stretch. Despite sleeping for so long these kids can still feel tired during the day and are willing to snatch a snooze anywhere.
4. Narcolepsy – Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder that occurs when the brain is unable to control the sleep-wake cycle. Children suffering from narcolepsy feel tired throughout the day and have compulsive urges to fall asleep anywhere during the day. Conversely, during the night they may experience insomnia.
5. Night terrors- Children between the age groups of 3 and 6 commonly find themselves frightened once the lights of their bedroom are turned off. This makes it difficult for them to fall asleep and can cause unusually aggressive behavior, panic attacks, paranoia, and anxiety.
6. REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder – During the REM phase of sleep the body usually experiences a kind of paralysis. However, in children who suffer from REM sleep behavior disorder, this paralysis does not occur and they might act out their dreams leading to poor sleep quality.

A child needs his sleep just as much, if not more than an adult. Inability to sleep and recharge one’s body can cause a child to become either listless and underactive or too aggressive and hyperactive. Neither of these two scenarios is good for the child. It is hence extremely important to find a remedy that can effectively soothe a child physically and mentally so that he is able to sleep better. Ancient wisdom has provided us with the answer to this problem. Curcumin, the compound found in turmeric, is a wonderfully therapeutic substance. It has the ability to heal the body internally as well as externally. In the case of sleep disorders to curcumin has been used as a natural remedy for ages.

Advantages of Curcumin when it comes to Sleep Disorders in Children:

1. Curcumin is a natural decongestant that helps in improving the nasal airflow and helping children who are more prone to respiratory allergies breathe better. This helps in alleviating sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea and breathing issues.
2. Curcumin has great anti-microbial properties that span across a wide spectrum of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In fact, it has even been found to be effective against those super-bugs that have developed antibiotic resistance. By penetrating the cell membranes of healthy body cells, curcumin can make them more resistant to most forms of infection. An increased immunity has been linked with a higher probability of sleeping better. This is especially relevant for kids since they are more vulnerable to pathogen-induced diseases.
3. Chronic inflammation is one of the leading causes of insomnia in children. The anti-inflammatory nature of curcumin helps in reducing the effect of pro-inflammatory substances in the body and helps in soothing inflammation. As a result, the affected children tend to sleep better.
4. Curcumin is good at bringing down the blood sugar level thus making it easier for the body to start relaxing and preparing for a peaceful nap.
5. Curcumin promotes the secretion of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that help in elevating the mood and bringing down the stress levels. A de-stressed body has a higher chance of slipping into a deep sleep than one that is highly wound up.

When you are considering something for your child you tend to be all the more cautious about the quality of the product. This holds true for any curcumin supplement that you might select for your child’s sleep disorder. Soja-k is a fantastic supplement created by the folks at Bagdara Farms using curcumin that is grown locally. The methods of farming used to cultivate curcumin at Bagdara are totally natural and organic in nature and hence the quality of curcumin produced is very high. Try Soja-k as a nightcap with milk right before bedtime and watch your child drift off into a peaceful world of snoozes right away.