Dr. Jeff Thompson Tells Kiwanis Club about The Science of Sleep

At today’s Kiwanis meeting, members heard from Dr. Jeff Thompson, Director of Respiratory and Sleep Diagnostics at Floyd Medical Center about childhood sleep disorders. Floyd is the only provider of Pediatric Medicine in the surrounding area and uses their state-of-the-art sleep center to diagnose and treat these unique issues.

Common issues include sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, restless leg syndrome, and somnambulism. Sleep disorders in children can lead to a host of physical problems such as growth retardation, cardiovascular development interference, incorrect diagnosis of ADD or other psychotic issues, seizures, and general fatigue.

While there are medical treatments for severe sleep disorders, Dr. Thompson says that typically good sleep hygiene cures most problems. “Kids need to be in a dark, quiet room where they feel safe and secure for 8-10 hours every night,” says Thompson. If that doesn’t work, removal of tonsils, cpap and bipap machines, and pharmocotherapy are also available remedies.