A person with sleep apnea stops breathing while sleeping. Children who suffer from Sleep Apnea often experience daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and poor concentration. Their social and academic performance can be affected by this.
Sleep Apnea affects approximately 2% of children. The main cause of sleep apnea is enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Other causes include obesity, mouth breathing, and craniofacial abnormalities.
Treatment for sleep apnea in adults has been proven effective. However, studies on treating sleep apnea in children are limited. In this article, we review the current evidence on the effectiveness of treatments for sleep apnea in pediatric patients.
Signs of sleep apnea in children
1. Snoring
Snoring is a loud noise caused by vibrations created by air passing over soft tissue in the throat. These vibrations cause the tongue to vibrate and rub against the back of the throat, causing the soft palate to vibrate and rub together.
When this happens repeatedly, it causes the soft palate to become inflamed and swollen, leading to snoring. Snoring occurs at night while sleeping and is often associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). There is a variety of factors that contribute to snoring.
OSA is a condition where breathing stops briefly several times throughout the night. In severe cases, sufferers may stop breathing completely for 10 seconds or longer.
2. Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing is when people breathe through their mouth instead of the nose. This is not only uncomfortable, but it can lead to problems including poor posture, headaches, neck pain, and even tooth decay.
3. Excessive daytime sleepiness
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a symptom of sleep apnea. People who suffer from sleep apnea have trouble staying awake during the day. They may fall asleep easily in class, at work, or while watching television.
4. Poor academic performance
Poor academic performance is a result of lack of sleep. Children who do not get enough sleep tend to perform poorly in school.
5. Irritability
Irritability is a sign of depression and anxiety. Sleep deprivation can make people feel depressed and anxious.
6. Weight gain
Sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism showed that adults who slept less than six hours per night gained about two pounds more than those who got seven to eight hours of sleep.
7. Headaches
In addition to sleep apnea, headaches are also common. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to chronic headaches.
Causes of sleep apnea in children
1. Obesity
Obesity is a major cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. During sleep, OSA causes breathing pauses. These pauses may last anywhere from 10 seconds to several minutes.
Children who have OSA tend to snore loudly and breathe shallowly. In addition, they often drool and stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night.
2. Genetics
Children who have OSA are at risk due to their genetic makeup. A child's genes play a role in how his/her body responds to hormones and chemicals. If a child has a family history of OSA, he/she is likely to develop the condition.
3. Developmental Factors
The size of the tongue and soft palate are factors that contribute to OSA in children. When these structures become enlarged, they block airflow and prevent proper oxygenation of the lungs.
4. Other Conditions
Other conditions that increase the risk of developing OSA in children include adenotonsillar hypertrophy, craniofacial abnormalities, and neuromuscular disorders.
If you have any of the following reasons for sleep apnea, you should see a pulmonologist to find a remedy.
How is sleep apnea in children diagnosed?
Children who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea may need to undergo a polysomnogram (PSG). A PSG involves using electrodes to monitor brain activity, heart rate, muscle movement, and breathing patterns while the patient sleeps.
The lungs specialist then compares these results with those of previous tests. Other tests may also be performed, depending on the severity of the case.
Is sleep apnea curable in children?
Yes, sleep apnea can be treated in children. There are several options available, such as CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines, oral appliances, and surgery.
These treatments improve oxygen levels in the blood and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
Treatment options for sleep apnea in children include
There are two types of treatment options for sleep apnea in children. Surgical procedures and medications are both available. Both have their pros and cons. Surgery involves removing the tonsils and adenoid glands. Medication involves using a CPAP machine (continuous positive air pressure) to keep the airways open.
The biggest benefit of both treatments is that they help kids fall asleep faster. Kids who use CPAP machines tend to fall asleep faster than those who don't. They also tend to stay asleep longer. If a child uses CPAP, he/she may not need to take naps during the day.
1. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
CPAP is a treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea in children. It is a machine that delivers pressurized air through a mask worn over the nose and mouth while sleeping.
This keeps the airways open and prevents them from collapsing during sleep. Children who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea may need to use CPAP at night to help prevent their breathing from becoming obstructed.
2. Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are devices placed in the mouth to keep the tongue in place and prevent obstruction of the airways. These oral appliances are designed specifically for children and can be effective in preventing obstructions.
3. Surgery for sleep apnea
Surgery is an option for treating obstructive sleep apnea if other treatments fail. In some cases, surgery is necessary to remove excess soft tissue around the throat and jaw area.
Prevention of sleep apnea in children includes avoiding certain behaviors that increase the risk of developing the condition. These include snoring, obesity, and mouth breathing. Parents should also encourage their children to get plenty of rest at night.
Sleep apnea is treatable in children. However, if left untreated, it could lead to serious health problems later in life. Contact the best lungs hospital in Coimbatore to be treated for sleep apnea in children before it becomes a serious problem.
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