What Is the Cause of Teen Sleeping Disorders?

All people have an internal clock that affects sleep cycles, the temperature of the body and the level of certain hormones. As soon as teenagers reach puberty, their internal clocks change, causing them to want to stay up longer and sleep later. Because of this, many teenagers do not go to bed early enough to get an adequate amount of rest but may still be required to get up early to be ready for school during weekdays.

Teenagers who are obese or overweight are most likely to experience sleep apnea. People who have sleep apnea do not breathe for short periods of time while sleeping. This takes place when a teen's nose, mouth or throat has a blockage. In most cases, this is due to an inflamed tonsil. Those who suffer from sleep apnea frequently sweat, have breathing problems and snore at night.

Side effects of medications may cause teens to have trouble falling or staying asleep. If a teenager begins experiencing sleep problems after starting changing medication, you should consult a health care provider to see if the medication could be the source of the problem. However, the Mayo Clinic states that teen sleeping disorders should not be treated with medication, so teens should not be prescribed sleeping pills to treat problems caused by other medications.

Depression is a common problem for teens that can lead to sleeping problems. Teens are especially susceptible to this disorder because of the changes in their hormone levels as they go through puberty, increased stress as they begin to take on more personal responsibility, relationship difficulties with parents about the desire for increased independence, beginning to date, or peer pressure at school.

Teenagers who are experiencing any disorders mentioned above must consult a physician as early as possible. Keep in mind that any problems may be aggravated if left ignored. In these types of conditions, a doctor may recommend medication or lifestyle changes.