subject: Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Signs in Children [print this page] Sleep apnea symptoms in children are sometimes hard to determine. Sleep apnea disorder is common to adult males but women and children can also have it. Children as young as age 3 can have sleep apnea.
A growing child can experience different bodily and behavioral changes, and this is normal. One of the things you will notice in some children with sleep apnea is that they snore. Between 3-12% of children normally snore. However, snoring is also the number one sleep apnea symptom. It is sometimes hard to tell if a child's snoring is normal or a symptom of sleep apnea. What you can do is to observe the other symptoms or indicator of this sleep disorder.
Your child could have sleep apnea symptoms if the snoring is accompanied by pauses in breathing. It is then followed by snorts or gasps for air. This is known to be an apnea attack. It is also a type of sleep apnea called obstructive sleep apnea. From the word obstructive', it indicates that there is an impediment in the child's air passage. This obstruction blocks the air passage and prevents air from entering the lungs. The pauses in breathing happen when air stops entering the lungs. The snorts occur when the child tries to regain his or her breath and gasps for air. Children who breathe through the mouth while asleep is also a sign of sleep apnea.
What causes these obstructions?
Sleep apnea symptoms can vary depending on the cause. If your child is overweight, fatty tissues in the neck area narrows the airways or blocks the air passage. If your child is underweight, it could be other factors such as large tonsils or irregular facial structure. Some children are born with small jaws or small airways. Some obstructions can be caused by nasal obstructions like a deviated septum. Having large tonsils and adenoids removed through surgery are common treatments for most children with sleep apnea.
Suffering the consequences of sleep deprivation
In worst cases, these apnea attacks can happen more than a hundred times a night. Just imagine your child struggling unconsciously to breathe every night while sleeping. These apnea episodes prevent your child from getting a good quality of sleep.
Poor quality of sleep hinder a child's development. They are not only sleep deprived but also life deprived. Sleep apnea symptoms show children who are very sleepy during the day and have trouble concentrating. Because of this, they tend to do poorly in school. When it comes to their behavior, they are often irritable, unusually active or aggressive and experiences depression. For older children, symptoms include bedwetting, excessive perspiration and night terrors.
Helping your child sleep tight
The good news here is that sleep apnea has a cure. If you find any of these symptoms, bring your child to the doctor as soon as possible.Once the doctor confirms the symptoms, you might be referred to a sleep specialist. A pediatric sleep doctor will recommend the treatment. Getting your child treated for sleep apnea will improve your child's behavior. It will also enhance your child's performance in school. Overall, it will give your child a better quality of life.
Get to know more about sleep apnea and its symptoms at Sleep Apnea Revealed (http://sleepapnearevealed.com/sleep-apnea-dossier/ ). Knowing is just half the battle, so you better get started and help your loved ones live better.
