07/30/2015 10:54
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If your child snores or has trouble breathing at night, they may be suffering from sleep apnea. Up to five percent of all children have obstructive sleep apnea, also known as OSA, which is the most common type of sleep apnea. Children who have enlarged tonsils or adenoids are at greater risk for this condition, as they can interrupt the breath cycles and deplete oxygen levels in the blood. Children who are obese or who have inadequate muscle tone also tend to be affected.
• Signs of sleep apnea may include:
• Loud snoring
• Night sweats, caused by the exertion of breathing
• Extreme lethargy during the day
• Increased irritability
• Diminished academic performance
OSA remains highly treatable, and treating it starts with a sleep study. While the child may need to spend the night at a sleep center, there are home tests which are also perfectly safe. During the sleep study, sleep apnea specialists will monitor their brain waves, heart rate, breathing pattern, eye movements, and other physiological factors to achieve a diagnosis.
Many children outgrow OSA as their throats get larger with age. Others may need surgery to remove oversized tonsils or adenoids to fully get relief. If obesity is the believed cause, you will need to pursue weight-loss options with your child, such as exercise or dietary restrictions, which are preferably under the supervision of a doctor.