Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes people to stop breathing for short periods of time when they

sleep. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors which vary depending on age. For infants the dominating contributing factor is prematurity and a low birth weight. Sleep apnea is present in 84 percent of infants with a birth weight of less than 2.2 pounds, and it decreases to 25 percent of infants if their birth weight is less than 5.5 pounds.

In toddlers the causes may be different. They could have dental problems as their teeth grow in that cause the airway to narrow, a respiratory illness can cause sleep apnea and so can tonsil and adenoid problems.

In adults the problems could be related to alcohol, smoking, illness and many of the same causes as those that cause childhood sleep apnea. Regardless of the cause or your age, obstructive sleep apnea has consequences that can be avoided by treating the condition.

What Are the Consequences of Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea, which is the most common type of sleep apnea in children, can have consequences that can have a lifetime effect on your child. Think of it like this. Your child can’t breathe during the night, but the body struggles to get a breath. So when your child should be resting and gearing up for the next day instead your child is working to breathe. This results in a child that did not get a restful sleep and if there is no restful sleep your child will be tired. They may get cranky because of this and it may be viewed as a behavioral problem instead of having a medical condition.

Children with obstructive sleep apnea have a number of problems related to this condition that are viewed as behavior problems. They could become aggressive or fall asleep at school. They may become hyperactive or have trouble concentrating. That will lead to having trouble in school. They may not be able to grasp the concepts they need to learn and move forward. Lack of sleep can also affect their growth patterns. Your child could be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder when it reality it is just an inability to get a good night’s sleep due to sleep apnea.

How Do I Know if My Child Has This Condition?

Fortunately, there are warning signs that your child may suffer from sleep apnea. You may notice your child snoring, snorting or gasping for air in the middle of the night. They may wet the bed past the usual bedwetting ages or have nightmares. A big clue is dark circles under the eyes. You know your child went to bed in time to get plenty of sleep so the dark circles should be a red flag that something is wrong.

If your child experiences frequent headaches when they awaken that could also be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. Check on your child as they sleep and pay attention to whether they breathe through their nose or their mouth. You’ll know if they breathe through their mouth because it will be open. Mouth breathing can cause dental problems because it dries your mouth out. You need the saliva that is produced to “wash” your teeth as you sleep. Dry mouth can cause dental caries and a host of other problems. Chronic allergies are one of those problems. If you live in the Columbus, Ohio area you can consult with a dental sleep specialist. Many times obstructive sleep apnea can be corrected with a dental appliance that your child wears at night. Call Mark Levy, DDS if you have questions. He is a certified Dental Sleep Specialist and has experience in diagnosing and treating children with obstructive sleep apnea. His office number is at (614) 777-7350.

Talk to the school as well. Many times the consequences of obstructive sleep apnea surface there. Your child may score lower on IQ tests. He or she may also have trouble with math and spelling. These are subjects that build on previous lessons. If your child was too tired to absorb a concept that is now being built on, they will have trouble with the newer material. Let your school know if you suspect your child has obstructive sleep apnea and hopefully they will adjust until you can get a treatment plan in place.

What Steps Should I Take?

If any of these consequences of sleep apnea sound familiar take action. Monitor your child’s sleep and keep a record of any incidents that occur while they sleep such as snoring, snorting, or gasping. When you have monitored your child long enough to see a pattern, visit your pediatrician or pediatric dentist and ask him about sleep apnea. Be sure to talk to your child about what’s going on. They can be invaluable in uncovering symptoms you wouldn’t see or know about.

For an evaluation for sleep apnea in the Columbus, Ohio area, give Dr. Mark Levy, DDS, a call at (614)777-7350. He can provide an examination and information on what that diagnosis means.