Sleep Apnea and Childhood Obesity
Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder that results in a periodic inability to breathe during sleep due to an obstructed airway. Airways are often blocked by enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils. It is also happens frequently in overweight adults, with excess fat blocking the airway when the muscles supporting it relax during sleep. Unfortunately, overweight kids can get sleep apnea too. It can be even more debilitating in children than it is in adults because younger people require more sleep to function properly.
Obstructive hyponea occurs when the airway isn't completely blocked but is narrowed significantly, resulting in a 30- to 50-percent airflow reduction that also wakes the sleeper. Like obstructive apnea, it can be caused by weight problems and should be appropriately treated to restore proper sleep hygiene.
The hallmark feature of obstructive sleep apnea is periodic lapses in breathing as the airway becomes blocked. These pauses occur throughout the night, and the sleeper wakes up each time until breathing resumes. The result is a poor night's sleep and all the physical, emotional, and cognitive problems that come with chronic sleep deprivation.
Symptoms of sleep apnea may include the following:
Nighttime snoring and mouth breathing
Nighttime breathing pauses
Nighttime restless sleep
Nighttime sweating and/or bedwetting
Nightmares or night terrors
Difficulty waking up in the morning
Daytime sleepiness
Difficulty concentrating during the day
Daytime hyperactivity and behavior problems
There are actually three types of sleep apnea — obstructive, central, and mixed. Only obstructive can be caused by weight problems. Central apnea is a rare neurological problem caused by a dysfunction in the central nervous system that stops breathing. Mixed apnea is a combination of both central and obstructive.
A sleep study (called polysomnography) conducted in a sleep clinic or with home monitoring equipment can determine if your child is suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. In some cases, surgery to remove tonsils and/or adenoids is suggested. A machine called a C-PAP (continuous positive airway pressure) may also be prescribed for your child to keep his airway open while he sleeps. If your doctor thinks the apnea is weight-related, getting your child on a fitness program and bringing his weight to a healthy level can resolve symptoms.
