Snoring is the result of a blocked passageway causing vibration to some of the respiratory structures. Occasional snoring is a fact of life. Some individuals, however, experience chronic, loud snoring which can indicate potentially serious sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Apnea means "without breath." This is a condition characterized by frequent periods in which breathing stops altogether. The individual goes without oxygen again and again, throughout each night, waking when the deprivation level reaches intolerable levels.
Individuals with the disorder suffer both the lack of oxygen and the loss of sleep, night after night. The cumulative effects if left untreated can be devastating. Children with sleep apnea are especially at risk of the emotional and physical complications. Their young minds and bodies are growing at a phenomenal rate, requiring all the sleep and oxygen they can get. Inadequate sleep and interrupted oxygen flow can cause permanent damage or worse.
How Can You Tell If Your Child Has Sleep Apnea?
While mild and infrequent snoring is common in children, loud, long term snoring is not. Loud, prolonged snoring followed by silence and then a pronounced gasp is particularly indicative of the disorder. Children with this condition often have enlarged tonsils and adenoids, as these structures can block the airway. Sleep apnea is far more common among individuals who are overweight.
Children with this sleep disorder often breathe through their mouth, rather than their nose, during the day. They also tend to display emotional and cognitive difficulties both at home and in school. The lack of sleep and oxygen makes it difficult for them to concentrate, to respond appropriately, or to thrive in general. Children (and adults) tend to exhibit more aggressive behavior, lose control of their emotions, and behave inappropriately in general. Untreated sleep apnea can result in profound anxiety and depression. If your child exhibits any of these conditions, a trip to the doctor is certainly in order.
The Science Of Sleep Disorders
Scientific research has shown that adequate sleep is necessary to good health and clear thinking. A well rested individual's brain is controlled by the prefrontal cortex, the center for logical thinking. Individuals with sleep disorders, however, are controlled by the amygdala, the Lizard Brain, which controls the "flight or fight" response. When the amygdala shuts down the prefrontal cortex due to sleep deprivation, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels are increased to prepare for a survival response.
Long term maintenance of this high alert status is exhausting for anyone. For individuals with sleep disorders, it can be far worse than that. Left untreated, sleep disorders can result in brutal aggression, manic depression, and irrational thought processes. In extreme cases, the result is death.
Protecting Your Child With A CPAP Machine
CPAP machines are the first line of defense. This nonsurgical treatment provides immediate and profound relief. CPAP machines use a mask to deliver a continuous flow of air to the individual through a mask as they sleep. CPAP machines are designed to provide a custom fit to the individual, ensuring the comfort, safety, and effectiveness of the unit.
If there is any question that your child may have sleep apnea, you should seek treatment immediately. CPAP machines provide the means by which your child can grow and thrive and become the person they were meant to be, instead of suffering the effects of sleep and oxygen deprivation.
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