Sleep apnea facts for kids
Sleep apnea (or Sleep apnoea) is a problem certain people have: When they sleep, they may stop breathing for short periods. These periods can last for 10 seconds or more. 3-4 breaths are missed. As a result of this, those affected are often tired during the day. Mainly because such people also tend to have microsleep, they should not drive vehicles. Sleep apnea is a treatable disease.
Contents
Signs and symptoms
- loud snoring
- lowering of concentration
Finding out if someone has sleep apnea
People can ask their partner or family member if they are breathing strangely when they are sleeping.
Treatment
- In case the patient is obese, losing weight improves sleep apnea.
- Fixing the environment where they sleep
- Continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP)
- Expiratory positive airway pressure(EPAP)
- Circular breathing technique (It makes muscle of the upper airway stronger, so airway remains opening when sleeping. Playing didgeridoo is good for learning this technique.
Complication
Diseases which may complicate sleep apnea are: obesity, high blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia, arrhythmia, polyemia, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes etc.
Sleep apnea is a risk factor of arteriosclerotic disease.
Effects
- Intolerable sleepiness of daytime
- Depression
- Less concentration
- Loud snoring
- Night frequent urination
- Headache when waking up
When there are no house mates, it may take time to discover this condition. When especially subjective symptoms are weak, the state will get worse gradually and it will start a serious problem.
Images for kids
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Screenshot of a PSG system showing an obstructive apnea.
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No airway obstruction during sleep.
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Airway obstruction during sleep.
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Screenshot of a PSG system showing a central apnea.
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CPAP machine with two models of masks
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Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. A) pre-operative, B) original UPPP, C) modified UPPP, and D) minimal UPPP.
See also
In Spanish: Síndrome de apnea-hipopnea durante el sueño para niños
