Obstructive sleep apnea is a type of one of the most life threatening sleep disorders, known as sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is characterized by episodes of breathing cessations during sleep due to obstruction in the upper airway. Obstructive sleep apnea causes decrease in oxygen saturation in the blood, which can result in deprivation of oxygen supply to the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea is potentially a life threatening condition that needs immediate medical attention. Obstructive sleep apnea does not just affect adults, obstructive sleep apnea can also affect children.
Common Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
One of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in children is that the child exhibits abnormal long cessations of breathing. Children who have sleep apnea can also snore during sleep, however, not all children who snores during sleep are suffering from sleep apnea. Children who are suffering from colds can normally snore during sleep. Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in children may be mild, moderate, or severe. Here are other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children:
- Snoring even if the child changes sleeping position. Children who rolls over usually stops snoring.
- Child gasps for air during sleep.
- Sleeping with mouth open
- Snoring can cause the child to be awakened.
- Bed-wetting that is not new or reactivated. Obstructive sleep apnea can cause an increase production of urine.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness and behavioral changes
- Attention deficit.
- Stunted growth and development
- Night Terrors
- Restless sleep
- Mood changes
Dangers of OSA in Children
As mentioned earlier, obstructive sleep apnea in children can be a life threatening medical condition that needs immediate medical attention. For children with obstructive sleep apnea that is not diagnosed, they are at higher risks for developing stunted academic and growth developments, behavioral problems, heart problems, obesity, and even hypertension. Personality changes and difficulty in establishing interpersonal relationships with other people can also be an effect of obstructive sleep apnea in children.
Treatments of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
There are a lot of treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea in children. In order to successfully treat the condition, the doctor must get rid of the obstruction in the upper airway. Most of the time, obstructive sleep apnea in children can be successfully treated by removing the tonsils or adenoids. However, there are times that removing the tonsils or adenoids won’t be effective. Continuous positive airway pressure or C-PAP will be used if removal of the tonsils or adenoid would not be successful. In continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a machine is used to blow air into the lungs through a nasal mask, to keep the upper airway free from obstruction.
