Sleep Apnea Blamed for Behavior Problems in Kids

Health experts have found sleep apnea to be the real cause behind thousands of children’s behavior problems.

According to ear, nose and throat physicians, enlarged tonsils can cause obstructive sleep apnea in children—causing them to stop breathing repeatedly during the night resulting in sleep deprivation.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Overview
Obstructive sleep apnea should be suspected in overweight middle aged adults who snore loudly and which can cause interruption of breathing for 10 seconds or more and this results in reduced blood o

“If kids aren’t sleeping at night it can affect their school work and mental development,” says Stephen Landers, M.D., ear, nose and throat physician on the medical staff at Our Children’s House at Baylor.

According to experts, thousands of children with sleep apnea caused by enlarged tonsils are sometimes actually misdiagnosed with learning disabilities.

“If children are allowed to sleep properly a lot of these behavioral issues are improved,” adds Dr. Landers.

Sleep Disorders in Children - Overview, Types, Diagnosis, Management
Sleep disorders are problems in sleep that meet diagnostic criteria for a disorder. They include insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias and narcolepsy.

So how do you know if your child’s ADD, ADHD or other behavioral problems may actually be caused by sleep apnea? Experts say to observe your child while they sleep at night. Are they snoring loudly or making gasping or snorting noises? These could all be signs of sleep apnea and should be brought to the attention of your family physician.

In adults, sleep apnea is often caused by excess weight, but in 90 percent of pediatric cases, it is caused by enlarged tonsils. Fortunately, a tonsillectomy can usually treat obstructive sleep apnea in children.

Tonsillectomy
Multimedia flash depicting the surgical procedure of Tonsillectomy done through the dissection method.

Source-Newswise
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Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Measure your daytime sleepiness using this simple interactive tool, based on Epworth Sleepiness disorder Scale. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is a type of hypersomnia characterized by persistent sleepiness and lack of energy.