Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
                     Sleep Apnea Diagnosis
Sleep apnea is a common disorder where a person's 
breathing has been disrupted during the night, causing 
them to wake up. According to statistics by the American 
Sleep Apnea Association, about 22 million Americans 
will suffer from sleep apnea at some point in their lives. 
Of this 22 million, about 80 percent of sufferers remain 
undiagnosed and untreated.
As children are usually more mobile than adults, they 
often spill out of bed during an episode; however it can 
still be dangerous for young sufferers. One study 
presented by the National Institutes of Health found 
that sleep-related deaths were 55 times higher among 
infants with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) than 
infants without OSA.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 
recommends that children with symptoms of sleep 
apnea be brought to a pediatrician for diagnosis. 
The physician will check for signs of airway 
obstruction, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, obesity, or 
"tongue-thrusting" behavioral problems during sleep.
While there is no cure, proper diagnosis and treatment 
can help sufferers live healthy lives without interruption 
from the disorder.
Sleep apnea is caused by the lack of airflow past the 
pharynx at night. If you have ever sat in front of an open 
car window while sitting in traffic on a hot day, you may 
have experienced this problem firsthand.
When breathing normally your throat muscles 
are relaxed, but when you stop moving air 
through your nose these muscles tense up 
and obstruct airflow. In the case of sleep 
apnea, a person can stop breathing up to 30 
times an hour.
The most common treatment for sleep apnea 
is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure 
(CPAP) machine, which blows air quietly 
through nose and mouth so that throat 
muscles do not have to work to keep the air 
passage open at night.
C-PAP machines are about 93 percent 
effective in reducing or eliminating snoring 
and other symptoms of OSA. However, many 
sufferers find that they cannot tolerate 
wearing a mask over their face while sleeping.
Oral appliances may also be used to reposition the jaw 
forward . These appliances force the lower jaw forward 
by pushing down on top teeth , increasing airflow 
through the back of the throat where it is naturally 
narrowest. If sleep apnea is caused by enlarged 
tonsils or adenoids , these may be reduced through 
surgery.
In children, enlarged tonsils and adenoids often lead to 
chronic ear infections that require antibiotics to resolve. 
Rarely, extremely large tonsils can even cause problems 
with breathing. In extreme cases, a special tube may be 
surgically implanted in the windpipe to relieve obstructions 
from the back of the throat . This procedure has been used 
successfully for 70 years and has a high success rate.
While there is no cure for sleep apnea, it can be 
managed efficiently with treatment options available 
today. The best thing one can do if they feel they have 
symptoms of sleep apnea is talk to their primary 
physician.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, one can avoid the 
risks associated with OSA.