Sleep Apnea - A new Treatment Option for Children

General

Sleep Apnea is a common sleep breathing disorder characterized by loud snoring. The impediment in the breathing process is repetitive and leads to frequent and cyclic 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. Children are particularly restless as frequent arousals from sleep leads to inadequate rest with its consequent problems.

What is Sleep Apnea?

When there is any physical obstruction in the passage of the airways in our body, regular breathing is interrupted. This is caused by either polyps or adenoids in the throat, nasal cavity, the upper trachea, the wind pipe or 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 remain alive, the moment oxygen levels begin to drop in our body systems, the brain sends frantic signals to the concerned muscles to activate the airways come what may. Rest is then interrupted by arousal from sleep and air is forced in, past the obstructions in the airways, causing snoring and accompanied with increased heart beats and a consequent cessation in the recouping process of sleep.

How to detect Sleep Apnea in Children?

The most evident symptom of Sleep Apnea is loud snoring. This breathing problem results in inadequate sleep. Consequently the body is not rested properly. The following morning, therefore, begins with a dull lingering headache and children feel irritated and are cranky throughout the day. Their school performances are adversely affected as inadequate sleep leads to day time sleepiness .Erratic moods, dryness in the throat especially in the early mornings on waking up lead to impaired growth and more serious ailments.

New Treatment Options

The symptoms of Sleep Apnea must be detected early so that a correct diagnosis is made. Once this is done, proper and effective steps can be taken for management of this sleep disorder. The first thing to do is to change the life style so that all the stress in life is reduced or completely obviated. 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.

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.

The layers of fat cause breathing problems because the muscles cannot move efficiently during sleep and they begin to lose their tone. Children without exception need to go to bed after an early supper as late meals have found to disturb sleep patterns and aggravate Sleep Apnea. Children must also be encouraged to play outdoor games and participate in light exercises as this helps to keep the lungs and airways activated and muscles required in 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. For most children these surgical procedures are a traumatic experience. However, surgical solutions make the children more vulnerable to throat infections, nasal allergies and more serious problems like gastroesophageal reflux disorders.

Conclusion

Sleep Apnea is a commonly occurring sleep disorder which must be detected early and correctly diagnosed so that its effects are obviated with proper and effective management.

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