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snoring

My child snores, does he or she have sleep apnea?

While many people think of snoring and sleep apnea syndrome as problems for adults, children can suffer from it also. Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops breathing multiple times throughout the night. There are three types of sleep apnea including obstructive sleep apnea (soft tissue block the upper airways while sleeping), central sleep apnea (the brain does not signal the correct pathways to initiate a breath), or mixed sleep apnea(a combination of both).  Not all children who snore have sleep apnea. Children with sleep apnea often snore, but some do not.

The hallmark sign of sleep apnea are apneic episodes (cessation of breathing) that can last up to approximately 30 seconds and occur hundreds of times each night in severe cases. The body must continuously wake itself up at each apnea to restart breathing. Often a grunting, snorting, or choking nose is made as breathing re-starts. Sleep apnea syndrome decreases both the amount of sleep and the quality of sleep the child receives.

When a person with sleep apnea syndrome does not obtain sufficient restorative sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness occurs. Chronic fatigue may be recognized as falling asleep often throughout the day (during school, while watching television, or while playing), increased irritability, and behavioral problems.  Children who are sleep deprived may display hyperactivity and are often diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Sleep apnea has also been linked to increased frequency of bedwetting. In children, sleep disorder effects can lead to problems at both school and home. Chronic untreated sleep apnea syndrome leads to cardiovascular problems later in life.

Sleep apnea syndrome can be caused by obstruction at any region of the upper airway. In children it is often due to enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids. The adenoids are lymphatic tissue located in the airway behind the nose. Large tonsils and adenoids can obstruct the airway, leading to apneas. Children who are overweight, especially when there is excess fat around the neck, have an increased risk of developing sleep apnea.

If your child is experiencing these problems, make an appointment with a Chicago sleep specialist who can determine if your child is suffering from sleep apnea syndrome. A sleep apnea diagnosis can only be made following a history and physical examination and usually an overnight sleep study (polysomnogram). For this study the child will sleep overnight at a Sleep Diagnostics testing facility (located at luxurious locations throughout Chicago and the suburbs) to monitor breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and other parameters to determine the diagnosis. Sleep Diagnostics Center also offers home sleep study testing for increased comfort and convenience.
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