Snoring is common and can affect people of any age, even children. However not everyone who snores has sleep apnea nor the problems with that sleep disorder. Snoring generally affects others more than the snorer.

People with Obstructive Sleep Apnea are at a higher risk for serious health conditions which can lead to many problems including long interruptions in breathing, frequent waking from sleep and increased blood pressure.

The result is a poor night’s sleep, which leads to drowsiness during the day and can interfere with the persons quality of life. Prolonged suffering from Obstructed Sleep Apnea will result in higher blood pressure and may cause enlargement of the heart, with higher risks of heart attack and stroke.

We see a lot of patients whose family members have encouraged an appointment with our doctors. In addition to negatively impacting the sleep of the patient, snoring can have a detrimental impact on the quality sleep of other members in a household. It can be helpful if other family members communicate what is happening with the patient. If a sleep study is needed, we will get that ordered and come up with a plan so everybody gets a better night’s sleep.

Your ENT specialist will do a full sleep evaluation and may recommend weight reduction and other lifestyle changes and medication, air pressure devices, or oral appliances. Surgery is also an option in treating sleep apnea.

The body perceives this as a choking phenomenon. The heart rate slows, blood pressure rises, the brain is aroused, and sleep is disrupted. Oxygen levels in the blood can also drop. Due to a lack of good quality sleep, a child with sleep disordered breathing may be irritable, sleepy during the day, or have difficulty concentrating in school. Busy or hyperactive behavior may also be observed. Bed-wetting is frequently seen in children with sleep disordered breathing. In more serious cases, children may not produce enough growth hormone, resulting in abnormally slow growth, and can put children at risk for obesity, high blood pressure or other heart and lung problems.

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the most common cause of interrupted sleep in children. Surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids is generally considered the first line treatment for pediatric sleep disordered breathing if the symptoms are significant and the tonsils and adenoids are enlarged. Many children with sleep apnea show both short and long- term improvement in their sleep and behavior after this surgery.

It is a test that may be performed in a sleep lab or at your home. It provides information that allows our physicians to diagnose sleep apnea and review treatment options. It may also be helpful in the analysis and treatment of snoring.