About this topic
Sleep apnea is a common sleep problem. Your childs breathing stops or gets very shallow for 10 to 30 seconds while sleeping. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common kind to have. It happens when your child's throat muscles relax and block the airway. The common cause of this condition in children is enlarged adenoids and tonsils. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- Have your child sleep on the side instead of the back. This will help keep the throat open.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep at night.
- Help your child to keep a healthy weight.
- Your doctor may order a mouthpiece or a CPAP machine for your child. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. Be sure to learn how to clean, store, and take care of them.
What follow-up care is needed?
The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
- Talk with the doctor about nasal sprays or allergy drugs that can keep your childs nasal passages open.
- Ask the doctor if there are other drugs your child will need to take.
- Give your child the drugs as ordered by the doctor.
- Do not stop giving your child the drugs without telling the doctor.
Will physical activity be limited?
Your child may have to limit activity if feeling sleepy during the day. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for your child. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Behavior problems
- Problems with paying attention and remembering
- Morning headaches
- Mood swings or feelings of low mood
- Bedwetting
- Sleepwalking
If this problem is not treated it can lead to very bad problems like: ‚
- Slow growth
- Hormonal and metabolic problems
- Failure to thrive
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
When do I need to call the doctor?
- You notice behavioral problems and trouble concentrating
- You have questions about your childs condition
- Health problem is not better or your child is feeling worse.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you ways to help with sleep apnea and to keep my child's throat open.
- I can tell you what problems my child may have if my child's sleep apnea is not treated.
Where can I learn more?
American Sleep Apnea Association ‚
http://sleepapnea.org/diagnosis-and-treatment/childrens-sleep-apnea.html ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/apnea-apnee_e.php ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/apnea.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚