County

A scream in the night: night terrors

RBC I A parent is awakened in the night by horrific screaming from their child. For any parent this can be a scary, awful occurrence in which they feel helpless. According to www.kidshealth.org, it is estimated that 3 to 6 percent of children will experience night terrors. While night terrors can happen at any age, most occur between 2-6 years of age, with peak onset at 3-1/2 years old.
During a night terror, children may bolt upright, eyes wide open in panic or terror, with bloodcurdling screams. Children often experience sweating, rapid breathing, and an increased heart rate. Most terrors last only a few minutes, however they can last more than 30 minutes. Night terrors vary from nightmares in that children having nightmares are usually easily woken and comforted. Children may also be able to recall events or feelings from a nightmare, whereas there is no memory of a night terror.
While it may be incredibly difficult as a parent to see your child experiencing these terrors, the best course of action is to make sure this child is safe in his/her bed—decreasing the likelihood of harm or injury. It may appear that the child is awake, however, he or she is not and waking the child is not recommended. The child is more likely to be disoriented and confused, or become scared as a reaction to the parent’s anxiety.
Night terrors are similar to sleepwalking or sleep-talking, caused by over-arousal of the Central Nervous System (CNS) during sleep, and may occur because this regulatory system of brain activity is still developing. Sleep is divided into two categories: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (non-REM). Night terrors happen during deep non-REM sleep. Unlike nightmares (which occur during REM sleep), a night terror is not technically a dream, but more like a sudden reaction of fear that happens during the transition from one sleep phase to another.
While there is no specific treatment necessary, there are steps parents can take to lessen the chances of night terrors. The typical night terror occurs approximately 1-4 hours after falling asleep (nightmares occur later in the sleep cycle). If night terrors are happening at a more frequent rate parents can track their occurrence and wake the child up 15 minutes prior to the expected night terror, keeping them awake and out of bed for a few minutes, even trying to go to the bathroom. Night terrors may also be the result of stressful life events, fever, medications or lack of proper sleep.
Maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake up routine is essential for all children. Children are often unable to estimate their sleepiness, believing they are getting enough sleep even when they are not. When a child is not getting an ample amount of sleep, behavior, learning ability and overall performance are affected, as well as night terrors.
The National Sleep Foundation has the following recommendations for amount of sleep based on age:
n Toddlers (age 1-3): 12-14 hours in a 24-hour period (naps count)
n Preschoolers (ages 3-5): 11-13 hours
n School aged Children (ages 5-12): 10-11 hours
n Teenagers (13+): 9-10 hours
The good news is that night terrors do not seem to have any harmful effects on kids who have them, and are usually outgrown. However if a child seems to be experiencing night terrors and the aforementioned strategies do not seem to help, an evaluation by the child’s pediatrician may be useful to rule out other possible disorders that might be having an effect on their quality of sleep.
An additional resource is the 2012 Rio Blanco Children’s Health Fair, offering free screening in multiple areas of child development, Feb 27-28 in Meeker and March 5-6 in Rangely. Call 970-675-2064 to schedule your appointment today.

Kristen Anderson is a MSW school social worker and Katelyn Collins is a BA school psychologist intern.

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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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