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Sleep Apnea
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Sleep Apnea – A Surprisingly Common Childhood Disorder
Author: Donald Saunders
Sleep apnea, and in particular obstructive sleep apnea, is often thought to effect only overweight men from the age of about fifty onwards. In fact, while sleep apnea is perhaps most often seen in this group, it also affects a large number of women and is increasingly being recognized as a very common disorder in children.

Perhaps the first reference to sleep apnea in children was made by Charles Dickens in The Pickwick Papers, published in 1837, in which Dickens wrote about a fat boy with a short thick neck called Joe who was always falling asleep.

The first medical reference to sleep apnea in children then appeared a few years later in an 1889 edition of the British Medical Journal. However, it was not until 1976 that it began to receive serious consideration, following the publication of a report by the Stanford University Sleep Disorders Clinic.

Today, sleep apnea is being widely recognized as a common disorder amongst children of all ages, and particularly amongst children between the ages of about three and six. Estimates vary, but in the United States alone, the number of children suffering from sleep apnea is put at between one and a half and two million.

So what are the signs and symptoms that might suggest your child is suffering from sleep apnea. Well, these will of course vary widely, as is the case with many conditions, but some of the tell tale signs include:

Loud snoring or noisy breathing during sleep. Snoring is far less common in children than it is in adults, but a significant number of children do snore and this, on its own, does not necessarily indicate the presence of sleep apnea.

Periods of not breathing during sleep. This is not always easy to spot as the chest often continues to move up and down as if the child is breathing, although no air is being taken in through the nose or mouth.

Breathing through the mouth, rather than through the nose.

General problems in sleeping or restless sleep.

Unusual or excessive tiredness during the day.

Behavioral problems and an apparent difficulty in understanding. This may include difficulties in paying attention, aggressive behavior and perhaps hyperactivity.

A general failure to develop at a satisfactory pace. For example, poor weight gain.

Finally, a very common symptom in children is enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

Now the presence of some, or indeed many, of these signs does not necessarily mean that your child is suffering from sleep apnea, but it would be reasonable to assume that this might be the case, and you should certainly consider consulting your family doctor.

Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders – http://help-me-to-sleep.com

About The Author:

Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including "How To Get A Good Night's Rest". Pick up your free copy today and discover the secret to http://help-me-to-sleep.com " target=_blank>curing you insomnia or visit help-me-to-sleep.com and Learn more about http://help-me-to-sleep.com/sleep-apnea/ " target=_blank>sleep apnea

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sleepapnea-10

Sleep Apnea
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What is Sleep Apnea and do I Have it?
Author: Heather Colman
Sleep apnea, also referred to as sleep apnoea, is a common sleep disorder. It's characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes, called apneas, last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the back of the throat that blocks the passage of air. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is caused by irregularities in the brain's normal signals to breathe. Some people with sleep apnea have a combination of both types.

OSA is more common in men than women and in people who are overweight or obese. Here are some symptoms to look for if you suspect you are suffering from this disorder.

* Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
* Restless Sleep
* Loud Snoring (With Periods Of Silence Followed By Gasps)
* Falling Asleep During The Day
* Morning Headaches
* Trouble Concentrating
* Irritability
* Forgetfulness
* Mood or Behavior Changes
* Weight Gain
* Increased Heart Rate
* Anxiety
* Depression

Most people with sleep apnea have obstructive apnea "OSA", in which the person stops breathing during sleep due to airway blockage. Breathing is resumed within a few seconds, but periods of as long as sixty seconds are not uncommon in serious cases.

OSA is more common amongst people who snore, who are obese, who consume alcohol, or who have anatomical abnormalities of the jaw or soft palate. However, atypical cases do occur, and the condition should not be ruled out unilaterally merely because the patient does not fit the profile.

"OSA" is caused by the relaxation of the muscles in the airway during sleep. Whilst the vast majority of people successfully maintain an open upper airway and breathe normally during sleep, a significant number of individuals are prone to severe narrowing or occlusion of the pharynx, such that breathing is impeded or even completely obstructed. As the brain senses a build-up of carbon dioxide, airway muscles are activated which open the airway, allowing breathing to resume but interrupting deep sleep.

The prognosis is that sleep apnea left untreated can be life threatening. Excessive daytime sleepiness can cause people to fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving. Sleep apnea appears to put individuals at risk for stroke. Successful treatment can also reduce the risk of heart and blood pressure problems.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

This article is Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman. Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and this entire resource box is included. Find more sleep apnea resources at sleep-apnea-news.info .

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sleepapnea-10

Sleep Apnea
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What is Sleep Apnea and do I Have it?
Author: Heather Colman
Sleep apnea, also referred to as sleep apnoea, is a common sleep disorder. It's characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. These episodes, called apneas, last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the back of the throat that blocks the passage of air. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is caused by irregularities in the brain's normal signals to breathe. Some people with sleep apnea have a combination of both types.

OSA is more common in men than women and in people who are overweight or obese. Here are some symptoms to look for if you suspect you are suffering from this disorder.

* Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
* Restless Sleep
* Loud Snoring (With Periods Of Silence Followed By Gasps)
* Falling Asleep During The Day
* Morning Headaches
* Trouble Concentrating
* Irritability
* Forgetfulness
* Mood or Behavior Changes
* Weight Gain
* Increased Heart Rate
* Anxiety
* Depression

Most people with sleep apnea have obstructive apnea "OSA", in which the person stops breathing during sleep due to airway blockage. Breathing is resumed within a few seconds, but periods of as long as sixty seconds are not uncommon in serious cases.

OSA is more common amongst people who snore, who are obese, who consume alcohol, or who have anatomical abnormalities of the jaw or soft palate. However, atypical cases do occur, and the condition should not be ruled out unilaterally merely because the patient does not fit the profile.

"OSA" is caused by the relaxation of the muscles in the airway during sleep. Whilst the vast majority of people successfully maintain an open upper airway and breathe normally during sleep, a significant number of individuals are prone to severe narrowing or occlusion of the pharynx, such that breathing is impeded or even completely obstructed. As the brain senses a build-up of carbon dioxide, airway muscles are activated which open the airway, allowing breathing to resume but interrupting deep sleep.

The prognosis is that sleep apnea left untreated can be life threatening. Excessive daytime sleepiness can cause people to fall asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving. Sleep apnea appears to put individuals at risk for stroke. Successful treatment can also reduce the risk of heart and blood pressure problems.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

This article is Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman. Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and this entire resource box is included. Find more sleep apnea resources at sleep-apnea-news.info .

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sleepapnea-1

Sleep Apnea
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What Are The Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea?
Author: Kathryn Whittaker -
Sleep apnea is identified with pauses in breathing while asleep. There are signs to look out for that may indicate you are suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be a dangerous condition so you should consult your doctor should you display any of the common symptoms. The following paragraphs offer some answers.

Of all the sleep apnea symptoms, the first one that comes to mind is sleepiness. Someone with sleep apnea struggles to get a good night's sleep. Consequently, that individual is always sleepy. Yet sleepiness represents only one of the sleep apnea symptoms.

Some sleep apnea symptoms are similar to those found with sleep deprivation. Morning headaches and dry mouth are examples of such symptoms. Repeated morning headaches and frequent episodes of dry mouth could easily a sign that you're suffering with sleep apnea.

Other sleep apnea symptoms are problems with concentration, forgetfulness and depression. These are among the less obvious sleep apnea symptoms. They represent behavior that has been associated with many things other than sleep deprivation. They might easily be overlooked or attributed to hunger, aging, or stress.

One way to determine whether or not lapses in alertness result from sleep apnea is to try and improve the quality and quantity of your sleep.

Keeping regular hours bedtime hours, avoiding caffeine and the development of a bedtime routing should all help you to sleep better. If you use these strategies, over a period of time your daytime sleepiness should diminish. However, if you don't start to see improvement after a couple of weeks it may be that you are suffering with sleep apnea and a visit to your doctor would be advised.

Formal identification of sleep apnea requires observation during sleep. Snoring can be another sleep apnea symptom, although not all those snore suffer with sleep apnea. Unfortunately, not all individuals have someone at hand to listen for sounds of snoring. With small children, snoring is less pronounced and sleep apnea is best detected by a skilled physician.

Regardless of an individual's age or medical history, the presence of sleep apnea symptoms needs to be addressed. Consult with your physician if you are concerned about sleep apnea.

Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Health related topics. To find out how you can stop snoring without resorting to surgery please visit this Stop Snoring site.

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