Sleep apnea can affect some children, too

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Wulfman...

Sleep apnea can affect some children, too

Post by Wulfman... » Wed Aug 29, 2007 2:17 pm

Here's an article from one of our local online papers.
Hopefully, this type of exposure will help the younger ones who also suffer from it.


http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles ... -apnea.txt


Den

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tillymarigold
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Post by tillymarigold » Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:02 pm

I hope so!

I was 11 the first time I told the doctor I was tired all the time and I was pretty sure that most people weren't as tired as I was. He told me I probably just wasn't getting enough sleep.

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samofny
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Post by samofny » Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:18 pm

The sleep clinic tech did tell me that they sometimes get five year olds, and other kids. There was an 18 year old when I was there. Both of my friend's kids had apnea due to enlarged tonsils, but were cured after having them removed.

/Sam

fidget
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Post by fidget » Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:27 pm

Some studies have shown that a great many of the kids diagnosed with ADHD actually have a sleep disorder. When kids gets sleepy, they get fidgety, and wiggle, and tap and all those irritating things to try to stay awake.

That's why Ritalin, an amphetamine helps, it revs them up to keep them awake and focused.

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socknitster
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Post by socknitster » Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:36 pm

My son, turning 4 tomorrow, was just diagnosed with OSA last week. His tonsils and adenoids appear to be to blame and will come out in early Oct.

I was SURE I had heard an apnea when we slept in the same room while visiting my sisters house(woke me up!). Getting someone else to believe it or take it seriously was different. My family tried to talk me out of talking to doctors about it which left me feeling bewildered when everyone has been agreeing and going on and on about how much better I OBVIOUSLY feel since I began treatment. I guess they all still think I'm a hypochondriac.

Luckily, I was able to dismiss their poopoo'ing and talked to his pediatrician, thinking they would do a psg. He said, no lets do something less invasive--a soft tissue scan of the throat. Sure enough his tonsils and ads are clogging up his airway. We were then sent to the same ent who took out MY tonsils about 3 weeks ago. He said they need to come out asap.

My ent said that ANY apnea in children is unacceptable because their small bodies desat O2 too fast. A little snoring can be ok. But any stopping breathing and gasping is not acceptable. He said the T and A surgery cures 99% of children of the disorder. We couldn't get him in for surgery until Oct 8, so until then we are treating him with antihistimines and nasal steroid spray and motrin to try to give him a little more air. We have seen MARKED improvement in his behaviour since beginning this course.

When I looked in his throat for myself I was utterly shocked. One side the tonsil completely blocked the airway--touching the uvula all along that side. On the other side there was only a slim space for air to get by. I CANNOT BELIEVE that no one ever brought up the fact that his tonsils were so big before. This kid has been fairly healthy the last couple of winters, but still gets more than his fair share of colds, sinus infections and ear infections--the stuff can't drain!

My son, Harry, has been exhibiting some ADHD symptoms for the last 6 months or so. The fidgets etc. Also, daytime sleepiness, lethargy, terrible mood swings--even headaches. I am pretty aware of what kids his age are like. I belong to a mom's group and sub teach at his preschool. I knew he is a good kid, but I also knew there was something wrong. When I finally figured out it was apnea, I could have conked myself on the head! Of course, I was only diagnosed in June, so I had to wake up myself!

Anyway, for me this topic is timely. Go watch your kids breath when they sleep. If they have any behavioral probs get it checked out. I'm certain I had this in H.S. and College if not before. Unfortunately Sleep Medicine is in its infancy even now!

jen