SLEEP APNEA IN CHILDREN

Obstructive sleep apnea in children is a disorder that results in partial or complete lack of breathing during sleep. This is due to a narrowing or blockage of the airways, some causes can be enlarged adenoids and tonsils, obesity, allergic rhinitis, craniofacial anomalies, and possibly genetic factors.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Obstructive sleep apnea in children can cause behavior problems and hyperactivity, some symptoms can be snoring, night sweats, nasal obstruction, breathing through the mouth, concentration problems, and hyperactivity. By not having a deep sleep at night, the child may have trouble paying attention, may have a hard time getting up in the morning, and may feel very tired and fall asleep during the day. Also because of this, problems in school performance may occur.

DIAGNOSIS

Making an opportune diagnosis allows one to obtain treatment as quickly as possible to avoid increasing the consequences in physical and mental development. The most advisable thing is to go to a sleep specialist to carry out a sleep study that will allow diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, these studies are not risky or painful and eye movements, heart rate, breathing patterns, brain waves, the concentration of oxygen and dioxide in the blood, snoring and other noises, and body movements and sleeping postures.

TREATMENT

The most effective treatment usually in children is adenotonsillectomy, or surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids, this procedure in most cases allows the disappearance of symptoms in most cases. Another alternative when the apnea is not due to the growth of the tonsils can be therapy with the CPAP device, administering constant air pressure to the mouth and nose, helping to keep the airways open and thus avoiding apneas.

HOW TO AVOID SLEEP APNEA IN CHILDREN?

* Avoid sleeping face down.

*Do not expose it to cigarette smoke.

* Evaluate the increase in the size of the tonsils or adenoids.

* Avoid overweight and obesity.