Can young people have Sleep Apnea?

HeatherN · Post by **HeatherN** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:56 pm

My nine year old daughter has sleep apnea and has been on CPAP for six months. She was diagnosed when she was four, had tonsils and adnoids removed and it was resolved for a while, then came back with a vengance.Hubby also has it-was diagnosed in this 30's but has probably had it for a LONG time.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:25 pm

There is some newer research than what RipVW cited (1 in 50 estimate) The new research cited below is that 1 in 4 people over the age of 18 are at high risk for sleep apnea. This is from this article Sleeping with the Enemy, from our own website

The Astounding Prevalence of Sleep Apnea in America

The numbers are shocking. The most recent studies have shown that one in four adults in the United States (31% of all men and 21% of all women over eighteen) is “at high risk” for OSA, based on analysis of the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America survey. Another study showed that one third of all people over 18 (who visit a primary care doctor) are at “high risk” for sleep apnea. Based on the 2000 Census, that means that between 50 and 60 million Americans likely suffer from sleep apnea. This is far higher that previous estimates that projected that between 10 and 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. Increasing awareness of sleep apnea and improved survey screening tools, along with an aging U.S. population, seem to be factors in the increase in OSA prevalence estimates. No longer should sleep apnea be thought of as an affliction of middle-aged, overweight men. The disorder is dependent on a number of factors (including, in particular, anatomy) and afflicts untold millions of otherwise young and fit women and men.

cpaptalk-articles/sleep-apnea-prevalenc ... enemy.html

Although I was only diagnosed recently, I have likely had it since I was in my 20's or even younger. I remember recurrent nightmares as a child where I was drowning and could not breathe. However, because I'm slim, female, and don't snore, I did not get diagnosed until this year. The other reason, is that this diagnosis was not understood when I was younger.

Getting a diagnosis and treatment now will help you feel happy and alive. It will help concentration in school, most likely. You will also be able to be a better friend and partner.

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:32 pm

was diagnosed a year ago, at 41...but i know i've had OSA all my life, can recall symptoms showing up when i was around 4 yrs old, and i've struggled with those symptoms ever since, along with the cumulative damage untreated OSA has caused to my body...

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:33 pm

Cameron wrote:II am curious as to the age that most are diagnosed with Apnea. I am relatively young and I am experiencing symptoms of Apnea.

Not based on anything but my opinion - OSA like heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and many other ailments, know no boundaries - not age, race, gender, religion, or region. NO Boundaries. imo

wabmorgan · Post by **wabmorgan** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:35 am

I am 42... was dianosed with OSA about 2 years but felt tired for the last 10+ years.

My ENT and sleep doc think I could have well had OSA for years prior to that.

fatfeminist · Post by **fatfeminist** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:37 am

i was just diagnosed a couple months ago, and i am 25 years old.

i suspect ive had problems for a while now, but just got up the courage to talk to my doc about it (well, and just got insurance to HAVE a doc too).

the breaking point for me was when my roomate (who i;ve lived with off and on since dorm days) told me how much worse my snoring was getting and how "weird' it was sounding.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 1:27 pm

I was 35 when I was diagnosed, but I believe it has been going on far, far longer. Maybe 10 years.

My son was 4 when he was diagnosed. Luckily a tonsilectomy/adenoidectomy cured him (his were huge and blocked his airway).

Apnea causes weight gain, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and strokes. I was lucky. I had only suffered from weight gain, depression and high blood pressure. All of which reversed themselves with cpap therapy, (well except all the weight--I'm still working on that, but I don't crave as much as I used to! and excercising isn't such a chore!).

Take control of your health before you develop these other diseases too.

Jen

GeneS · Post by **GeneS** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:21 pm

Once I went on a Campfire Girl camping trip with my daughter.We slept 4 to a tent. My daughter about 11, myself, and another father with his daughter. I didn't sleep much since I was not using my cpap. The other girl had all of the symptoms of severe sleep apnea. There was no doubt in my mind. I talked to the father in the morning and explained that I felt that she had sleep apnea recommended that they take her to a doctor right away. He said she had enlarged tonsils and adnoids and was going to see the doctor for that. I said dont forget to discuss the sleep apnea. They were from another area and I never heard from them again after that night. I have never slept a night without my machine since.
GeneS

Nodzy · Post by **Nodzy** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:50 pm

Yep... what Sharon said.... I've had apnea all of my life too. Plus the accumulated damage, though I was always built good with minimal excess weight. But over the years I used my brain and endorphine and adrenaline forced production to counter its effects while awake.

I was in my mid-40's when the apnea and effects, along with chemical toxicities from workplace exposures, took me down. I bloated like a ballon, hurt like hades all over and the neuropathies and fibromyalgia set in hard.

In June 2007 after finding my own best therapy, despite having been on mis-prescribed CPAP therapy for about 5-years, my excess weight begain dropping off by itself. Plus, the edema that was a major detriment lessened to the point where after 12-hours up and moving my footwear doesn't have to be removed with a scapel, or a team of mules with a chain -- about 90% less edema.

Though I still have major neuropathy and fibromyalgia damage and pain to contend with daily... among other symptoms.

Yes, even toddlers have been recently diagnosed with OSA of some form. That is, now that more doctors are becoming aware of the obvious signs... and taking the disorder frontline seriously.

Nodzy...

Thren · Post by **Thren** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:15 pm

According to my mother, I used to scare the snot out of her as a baby by not breathing for a few seconds before starting again. So far as I know, I've been doing it my whole life. I was diagnosed a year ago, at 26.

S-Dubya · Post by **S-Dubya** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:38 am

My son was diagnosed with OSA at age 2. He had unusually large tonsils and adenoids which he has since had removed. He is now 7 and shows no signs of it returning [crosses fingers].

I was diagnosed around age 30, but once I learned the symptoms I realized that I have probably had it most of my life. The large tonsils and adenoids seem to run in my family.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:44 pm

So, S,

Have you had your tonsils and adenoids removed and did that improve your therapy? If not, you should really consider it.

Jen

blackvelvet · Post by **blackvelvet** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:45 am

I'm 25 and was just diagnosed but my mom said that when I was born they told here at the hospital I had breathing issues apneas. My mom didn't really know what this was and never really though about it. I snored as a toddler and have always had problems getting enough air (even during the day if I do to much I must breath though my mouth and often have to stop) did go to get tested untill my husband said I had to or he wouldn't sleep in the same room as me.

Beulah · Post by **Beulah** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 5:53 pm

My oldest daughter was diagnosed at age 5. My husband was out of town and she was skittish about it, so I let her sleep in my bed. I noticed her stopping breating OFTEN and called the next morning. Her adenoids were so huge they were touching and there was only 1/4 inch space between her tonsils. (Yes, why hadn't her pediatrician mentioned this? Hmm.) They were of course removed immediately. My two younger daughters were monitored, had the same type of adenoids and tonsils and had them removed at ages 5 and 3 respectively. They've all been fine since. They were all very slim at the time.

I was diagnosed a month ago at age 46. I've always snored, but my husband said that I've been stopping breathing quite a bit, the whole bit, so I called the doc and did a sleep study. I did the second CPAP study the other day and haven't gotten my machine yet. I'm not overweight, but I am middle-aged. Apparently my snoring/apnea got much worse after my hysterectomy 2 years ago. I did gain some weight, but don't think that going from a 6/8 to a 10/12 is that big a deal at my age. I don't know if the changes that come from a hysterectomy had an effect, but don't really care as long as I get that machine soon!

Paula

shardebhow · Post by **shardebhow** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:52 pm

When I had my sleep study, there was an 11 year old there having a sleep study as well. His mom said that he is always dead tired during the day. Not sure what the follow-up was.

Can young people have Sleep Apnea?

Re: Can young people have Sleep Apnea?

just my 2 cents

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