Sleep disorders
Snoring and Apnea
Do you suffer from sleep apnea?
bstructive sleep apnea is characterized by partial or complete obstruction of the airways. In young children, adenoids or large tonsils are most often involved. Studies have shown that OSA occurs more frequently between the ages of two and eight, and peaks in preschoolers, a period of development during which the adenoids and tonsils are bulky compared the size of the airways.
Signs and symptoms: more than tiredness
Children who suffer from OSA may have the following symptoms:
Snoring, breathing problems, or increased efforts to breathe, mouth breathing, neck hyperextension (to try to open their airways), frequent awakening , agitated sleep , excessive drowsiness , frequent naps , morning headaches, reduced attention , hyperactivity , aggressive behaviour .
Sleep disturbances have been reported in 25 to 50% of children with attention deficit disorder. hyperactivity (ADHD). Some studies suggest that the link between OSA and ADHD is associated with frequent waking and sleep interruption.
Primary care physicians (family physicians and pediatricians) who believe that a child has an OSA disorder can send the child for specialized sleep tests to assist in the diagnosis. Polysomnography (PSG) is considered the best method or the benchmark test for OSA in adults and children. It is an exam that involves recording variables during nighttime sleep, such as oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiratory signals, and monitoring the child's brain activity to assess sleep stages. PSG is used to establish the frequency of obstructive or central pauses in the child's breathing. Night oximetry is a simpler diagnostic test that is done at home and is often used as an initial test. It provides important information about the child's oxygen levels and pulse during sleep.Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, which remove the tonsils and adenoids respectively, are the first-line treatment for children with OSA. Several studies have shown that these interventions improve the sleep, breathing and quality of life of children struggling with OSA. There are other treatments for some children, including continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPAP) or spontaneous two-way positive pressure ventilation (VSPPBi). Weight control is another strategy that can reduce OSA symptoms in overweight or obese children.
If you think your child is having symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, the first thing to do is to talk to your child's doctor. He will be able to direct you to clinicians specialized in sleep medicine at the Sleep Laboratory, pulmonologists or otolaryngologists, and finally to your orthodontist so that your child can undergo an evaluation and diagnostic tests and be treated if necessary.
ROLE OF ORTHODONTICS
If you think your child is having symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, the first thing to do is to talk to your child's doctor. He can refer you to clinicians specializing in sleep medicine at the Sleep Laboratory, pulmonologists or otolaryngologists, and finally to your orthodontist so that your child can undergo an evaluation and diagnostic tests and be treated if necessary.
Signs to watch for: Face that looks long, Breathing through the mouth rather than through the nose, difficulty to keep your lips closed,gums are often swollen and bleed easilydark circles under the eyelids, ashort upper lip prominent incisors and a m too narrow jaw, as well as noisy snoring.
The literature shows that after a first phase of orthodontic treatment or interceptive treatment , the subsequent improvement in the volume of the respiratory airway considerably reduces snoring, improves breathing and quality of sleep and even frequently avoids ENT tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgeries.
Many parents also report an improvement in the child's mood, concentration in the classroom and even the cessation of episodes of bedwetting (bedwetting).
Dr. Benguira will be happy to help you, with your medical doctor, in the management of your child's sleep disorders so that he can sleep and smile again!
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