When most people think of sleep apnea, they picture adults, especially those who snore or struggle with chronic fatigue. But sleep apnea can also affect children, and when it does, it can interfere with growth, behavior, and overall health. If your child is snoring, restless at night, or having trouble focusing during the day, it’s worth learning more about the signs and causes of sleep apnea in kids—and how treatment can help. Here’s what you need to know about pediatric sleep apnea.
What Causes Sleep Apnea in Children?
Sleep apnea in children occurs when their breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep; the condition is more or less the same in children as it is for adults. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, often abbreviated as OSA. This involves the airway becoming partially or fully blocked during sleep, usually due to enlarged tonsils or other soft tissues that are causing obstruction. Less commonly, children may have central sleep apnea, where the brain doesn’t send consistent sleep signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Some factors that can increase a child’s risk of sleep apnea include:
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids, which are located behind the nasal passage.
- Obesity, since excess weight can place pressure on the airway.
- Structural issues with the face, jaw, or airway that make breathing more difficult.
- Family history; it’s believed that genetics can play a role in sleep disorders.
You should keep in mind that sometimes, sleep apnea symptoms can also be mistaken or even misdiagnosed entirely for other conditions, particularly ADHD—which is why a proper evaluation is so crucial!
How Is Sleep Apnea in Kids Treated?
Treatment for sleep apnea in children depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the issue. While symptoms like snoring, pauses in breathing, and restlessness might not seem serious, without intervention, the condition can take a serious toll on a child’s health and well-being. Complications including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a higher than typical blood sugar level, and even other heart or blood vessel conditions, can ensue.
Lifestyle changes are often impactful, especially when the OSA is linked to obesity. Oftentimes, oral appliance therapy is another effective and gentle method of dealing with the condition. If the apnea is the result of a lip or tongue tie, a frenectomy might be needed. It’s even possible to combine all of these solutions with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine.
If you suspect your child may have sleep apnea, don’t wait to consult with a sleep specialist. Early diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve your child’s quality of life, helping them get the restful, restorative sleep they need to thrive!
About the Practice
Our team here at Healthy Sleep Tulsa has been helping sleep apnea patients in the area for several years, offering a wide range of treatments aimed at comfortably and effectively addressing the condition, including custom-made oral appliances, as well as lip and tongue tie treatment. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to schedule an appointment for you or a loved one, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (918) 300-4325.