It Isn’t Easy To Diagnose Sleep Apnea In Children
Sleep apnea in children is very common, though much more difficult to recognize or diagnose. In adults there are given traits that point towards the possibility that they may have this affliction, but they are harder to find in children. Nonetheless, careful observation at home and thorough medical evaluation could result in the correct diagnosis.
Some of the signs that help with the diagnosis of sleep apnea in children are,
- loud snoring
- breathing through open mouth on a regular basis when asleep
- visibly enlarged adenoids and tonsils
- constant sleepiness during the day time
- problematic behavior such as sudden aggressiveness, inattentiveness, restlessness, etc.
Is your child suffering from any of the above symptoms? If yes, do not hesitate to immediately take the child to an ENT specialist for careful evaluation. In case of doubt, the doctor might ask you to carry out a test called polysomnography which would be very helpful in zeroing in on the correct diagnosis.
Sleep apnea in children is very dangerous; in fact it can be fatal. If you have the slightest doubt that your child is suffering from this problem, keep the child under very close observation, until you consult a specialist.
The Treatment For The Sleep Apnea In Children
Is your child overweight? This could be one of the main factors that contribute to the sleep apnea condition. Ensure that you take measures to have the child’s weight reduced. Sleep apnea in children could also be triggered by allergies – so monitor any allergies in the child. If you identify the factor, ensure that it is removed from the vicinity of the child.
Another factor that leads to this problem in children, is highly enlarged adenoids and tonsils. If these are found to perpetuate the condition, it would be advisable to have these surgically removed. These medical interventions are termed as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, or as commonly known, T&A.
The good news is that though it is a little difficult to diagnose the sleep apnea condition with children, once it diagnosed, the treatment is swift and sure. The child would be back to normal in a matter of days, provided there are no complications, or undue infections. Overall it is easier to cure this problem in children than adults.
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