Sleep Apnea in Children
Looking for information on the topic of sleep apnea? This dental-related condition can affect both children and adults, and because it can be quite serious, getting treatment as soon as possible is necessary. According to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Oral appliance benefits
Understanding the benefits that come with each sleep apnea solution is a great idea. These benefits are especially important for children who have been diagnosed with this common sleeping condition, as it is often more difficult to treat children vs. adults. These benefits include but are not limited to: being comfortable to wear and being easy to wear, use and care for.
How sleep apnea can affect children
Children who suffer from sleep apnea are not getting the sleep they need during the night, which will affect them during the day. Common ways that this sleeping disorder can negatively affect children include feeling tired throughout the day, performing poorly in school, potential bedwetting problems and even learning and behavior disorders. This makes it essential for parents to pay close attention to their child, as their behavior could be due to them not getting enough sleep during the night.
Causes and risk factors
The most common cause of sleep apnea in children is due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids. While the most common cause of sleep apnea in adults is due to obesity, it is less common for children who are obese to be diagnosed with this common sleeping disorder. Risk factors that can increase a child’s chances of being diagnosed with sleep apnea include finding out that they have cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, sickle cell disease, neuromuscular disease, face abnormalities and a family history of sleep apnea.
Treatment options
There are a few different treatment options available for children who have been diagnosed with this sleeping disorder. These include using oral appliances in order to open up the child’s upper airway, using a CPAP machine to keep their airway open, removing their tonsils and adenoids and prescribing certain medications that are proven to help children diagnosed with a mild case of sleep apnea.
In need of a diagnosis?
Parents who believe their child might have sleep apnea need to make an appointment with their primary care professional in order to get a proper diagnosis. If a child is diagnosed with sleep apnea, then the primary care professional will work with dental professionals in order to find the optimal solution.
Request an appointment here: https://www.stevensyropdds.com or call Steven B. Syrop, DDS at (212) 548-3272 for an appointment in our New York office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Sleep Apnea in New York, NY.
Recent Posts
TMJ disorder is common in the United States and affects more than three million people annually. One of the more frequent and severe symptoms of TMJ disorder is migraines. Often, treating TMJ disorder is essential for stopping chronic migraines.TMJ disorder can put a lot of stress on a person and lead to the onset of…
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder among overweight or obese people. A person with this condition often wakes up with a terrible headache and daytime tiredness. This results from pauses in breathing while sleeping and inadequate sleep. If you want to know how losing weight can help with your sleep apnea, here are explanations…
You may not think much about TMJ disorder unless a dentist diagnoses you with it. This is a serious condition that can cause much pain and discomfort. Untreated, this disorder can make it difficult to chew and even speak. Instead of suffering and being in agony, you can speak to your dentist. Fortunately, relief is…
Snoring can be an embarrassing problem that affects both you and your partner's sleep quality at night; still, the good news is there are many simple snoring treatment without resorting to surgery or other drastic measures. Using a treatment device, such as a mouth guard or nasal strips, is a great way to block off…