Sleep Apnea - Asurprisingly Common Childhood Disorder

Introduction

Sleep Apnea is a very common sleep breathing disorder. The most common phenomenon is loud snoring. The restrictions in the breathing process leads to cessation of breathing. When this happens it is called Sleep Apnea. Since it affects the functioning of the lungs and the heart and interferes with the supply of oxygen to the body it assumes worrying proportions.

Understanding Sleep Apnea?

When there are physical obstructions in the passage of the airways in our body, regular breathing is interrupted. These are caused by either polyps or adenoids in the mouth, nose, the trachea or the wind pipe and may be in the passage to the stomach. When these airways do not have a clear passage for air, the regular and automatic muscular activity that constitutes respiration is threatened. As a result, breathing stops. This condition is called Apnea. Since respiration must go on for us to live, the moment oxygen levels begin to drop in our body systems, the brain sends signals to the concerned muscles to activate the airways come what may. Sleep is then interrupted and air is forced in past the obstructions in the airways causing snoring, increased heart beats and a consequent cessation in the recouping process of sleep.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The most evident and obvious symptom of Sleep Apnea is snoring. This breathing problem results in an inadequate sleep and consequently the body is not rested properly. The following day, therefore, begins with a dull lingering headache. The patient experiences lethargy and loss of attentiveness and restlessness.

Since the capacity of the lungs is not utilized to its optimum the sacs in the lungs lose their elasticity. The patient then begins to experience lung problems which further aggravate the respiration process. Erratic moods and dryness in the throat especially in the early mornings on waking up are preludes to more serious respiratory ailments. Since children cannot clearly express to share their difficulties detection of the disorder sometimes becomes difficult.

Random Sleeping Tip

There are a lot of people who say that they are unable to sleep because they go through a lot of joint aches and pains. One of the best things for these individuals is that they take their medications an hour or so before bedtime so that the medication can start to kick in and they are able to have the benefit of that medicine with the relief in their aches and pains. If the aches and pains are not benefited wit the given medications then one must consult a doctor for more potent medications.

Management of Sleep Apnea

The symptoms of Sleep Apnea must be detected early by parents so that a correct diagnosis is made. Once this is done the proper management of this sleep disorder may begin. The first thing to do is to change the life style of the child so that stress is reduced or completely removed. This is done with a series of pro active initiatives. Weight reduction is the foremost preventive step to be taken. The problem of Sleep Apnea afflicts obese children more often. Obese children are prone to these breathing problems because the fat on their bodies cause muscles to lose their tone. Such children need to go to bed after an early light supper as heavy and late meals have found to aggravate the Sleep Apnea. Light exercises like walking or outdoor games help to keep the lungs and airways activated and muscles required for the respiratory process supple. Breathing during sleep is, therefore, uninterrupted and the quality of sleep improves.
Infant Sleep Apnea is associated with other problems and must be handled with the advice of a pediatrician. Serious obstructions of the airways by polyps and adenoids must be surgically removed.

Conclusion

Sleep Apnea is a surprisingly commonly occurring childhood sleep disorder which must not be neglected. Detected early and correctly diagnosed properly the problem can be effectively managed.

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