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How to know if your child has a sleep disorder?

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tmjtherapy1

When breathing stops during sleep for long periods of time it is called sleep apnea. In sleep apnea, the oxygen levels in your body drop and your sleep can be disrupted. Sleep disorders don't only happen in adults, sleep apnea in children and teens is very common. If sleep apnea is left untreated in children, it can lead to heart problems, behavior problems and learning disabilities. It also causes them to miss out on healthy, restful sleep. In rare cases, sleep apnea in children can occur when they aren't getting enough oxygen in their sleep. When the brain isn't getting enough oxygen, it can't send signals to certain muscles that control their breathing.

In sleep, our muscles relax including the ones in the back of our throat. These disorders can make it hard to breath when the airway collapses. If your child has large tonsils this is especially true. There are certain risk factors that can lead to sleep apnea:

* Obesity

* Family history of sleep disorders

* A large tongue that can block the airway while sleeping

* Medical conditions such as cerebral palsy or down syndrome

* Defects in the throat, mouth or jaw

There are symptoms you can look for to find out if you may have sleep apnea. If you are constantly waking up due to airway blockage you may suffer from sleep apnea. This disorder prevents people from having a deep restful sleep. Symptoms to look for in children are:

* Heavy breathing when asleep

* Snoring followed by pauses or gasps

* Bedwetting

* Behavioral problems or daytime sleepiness

If you child suffers from sleep apnea, you may find it hard to get them to wake up in the morning. Your child's teacher may notice they are tired throughout the day. Or that there are behavior or attention issues. This can hurt your child's school performance and create learning disabilities.

Your child may suffer from sleep apnea if they snore regularly or is a restless sleeper. In most cases, your doctor will refer you to a specialist for your child to participate in a sleep study. A sleep study will allow your doctor to record body functions while your child is sleeping. This can help physicians diagnose certain Sleep Disorders. Senors are placed on different areas of the body with adhesive tape. The senors are wired to a computer that record the information when your child is asleep. Your child will need to spend a full night in the hospital for the study to be complete. The sleep study records:

* Heart rate

* Snoring

* Blood and oxygen levels

* Sleep position and body movement

* Eye movements

* Brain waves

* Breathing patterns

* Blood oxygen level

Depending on your condition, sleep apnea can be treated in different ways. If your child has enlarged tonsils, you may need to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor. The tonsils may also need to be removed. If it is not the tonsils, it may be recommended that your child wears a mask while they sleep. The mask covers the nose and mouth and is connected to a machine that pumps air through it to open the airways.

Thomas Roger is the author of this Article. To know more about Sleep Apnea in Children please visit the website

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