Teenage son has sleep apnea - have questions

[painterman]

My son has been exhausted for a couple of years now. So we just had sleep study done with all the wires hooked up to him overnight. The study came back as having sleep apnea (which I have also). The interesting thing is his AHI is only about .5 AHI. but his RDI (respiratory disturbance index) is 13 RDI. The doctor recommended a cpap machine. What I don't understand is how that will help if he is having virtually no obstructive apnea. From what I understand, his airway is not collapsing (like in osa) so what good would a cpap machine do? Any ideas. I hate to have to have him go through all the cpap hell (note compliance) if it won't really help or if there is another solution. Can anyone explain how a cpap would help RDI of 13 when he has no osa?

Thanks,
Jon

[rested gal]

Perhaps the doctor suspects your son has UARS (Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome.)

In a nutshell, the brain of a person with UARS is hypersensitive to the least little beginnings of airway collapse. The brain of a person with UARS arouses the person to breathe better before the collapse can get bad enough to score as an apnea or a hypopnea.

"RERAs" (Respiratory Effort Related Arousals) can wreck sleep architecture just as badly as Obstructive apneas and hypopneas can. Even if the oxygen level is staying up, the sheer number of arousals to "breathe better" can leave a person as sleepy and worn out as OSA can.

The treatment for UARS (Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome) is the same as the treatment for OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) -- CPAP.

[twasbrillig]

Painterman, thanks for the post. My teen-age son has fatigue problems. After two years of testing for anemia, waiting for his growth to finish, etc I am considering whether to go through the sleep study. (I have UARS, BTW) Can you send me a PM (personal message) with some details about how your son dealt with the procedure? My son is 15 and acts annoyed whenever I question him about his sleep, level of fatigue, etc. I think he thinks it's normal to be as tired, irritable and antisocial as he has become.

Rested Gal has given you a lot of great information about UARS. I think it's great that your doctor understands at least somewhat what is going on. Here is a site with more information:

http://doctorstevenpark.com/tired-of-be ... e-syndrome

Also, did you have him evaluated by an ENT? It seems like ENT problems are brought up a lot after CPAP treatment is initiated, but it should probably be considered beforehand. Did they rule out enlarge tonsils, adenoids, or respiratory allergies that make his turbinates enlarged?

Ann