Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Children - Maximed Turkey
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Children?
Obstructive sleep apnea in children is a condition that stops the air pipe from functioning properly when they sleep. This blocks airflow and causes pauses in breathing during sleep. The most common symptoms of the condition are snoring, tiredness, and difficulty concentrating during the day.
Obstructive sleep apnea has also been linked to other health problems such as high blood pressure and heart problems.
If your child has any of these symptoms, make an appointment with their doctor for testing.
· The first step will be to take a special sleep study called an overnight sleep study.
· If the findings are that your child has obstructive sleep apnea, they will be recommended to wear a small mask during bedtime which can help catch up on lost hours of sleep. Children with this condition may also require surgery to avoid apnea from affecting their daily activities. This is because people without obstructive sleep apnea usually maintain a good sleep schedule throughout the day, thus creating less need for periodic interruptions during sleeping hours.
Treatment of snoring and other breathing problems is usually followed by lifestyle changes such as losing weight and getting regular exercise.
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
Many people with snoring or apnea are misdiagnosed with allergies, asthma, overactive bladder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or congestive heart failure. An asleep study may be necessary to diagnose the condition.
Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea may include:
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep-related breathing disorder in children. It affects 2–10% of all children and is more common in males than females. Prevalence increases with age and reaches a peak in adulthood.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed by a positive history and physical examination. Sleep studies are performed at specialized sleep centers.
These studies are performed with the patient in a "sleep lab" while wearing equipment such as an oximeter to monitor oxygen saturation, a pulse oximetry finger probe to monitor heart rate and blood oxygen saturation, a non-invasive blood pressure cuff, an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), nasal cannula, or CPAP machine.
The information from the sleep study is then examined by a sleep specialist who will interpret and analyze the recordings and give recommendations for further management of the condition.
Why Does My Child Have Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is caused by a blockage in the airway during sleep which prevents breathing. This happens because the muscles are paralyzed during sleep, preventing the chest from rising or falling with each breath.
The muscles that are paralyzed are those that would normally maintain an open airway and prevent air from becoming trapped in the chest during sleep.
Will My Child Continue To Snore After Treatment?
Before beginning any treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), children must be evaluated medically to determine if they need any medical intervention such as medication, surgery, or other treatments. Once treatment is initiated, OSA may continue to occur due to undiagnosed or untreated secondary causes.
Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves wearing a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask to help keep the airway open during sleep. This helps "keep the airway open" by increasing the pressure in the airway which prevents it from collapsing during sleep.
Although some children naturally develop OSA, most cases of OSA are caused by an underlying medical condition.
