Thousands of American adults and children have sleep apnea. With this chronic disorder, people repeatedly stop breathing during sleep, causing a decrease in oxygenation and sudden, gasping wakefulness. The health effects of sleep apnea are serious, and sleep medicine specialists have developed combination therapies that control or even eliminate this health problem. Here’s more on…
Obstructive sleep apnea
Questions to Ask a Pediatric Apnea Doctor
An estimated one to six percent of American children may have sleep apnea, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. This can happen multiple times throughout the night and can lead to decreased oxygen levels in the blood….
Tests a Sleep Medicine Doctor Does
If you or someone in your family has problems sleeping and it has taken a toll on your (or their) health and productivity, then it is in your best interest to get an evaluation and treatment from a physician who practices sleep medicine. A sleep medicine doctor is usually an experienced otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and…
Adenoidectomy for Adults
Adenoidectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove adenoids that are chronically infected or swollen. When enlarged, adenoids can affect the flow of oxygen in the upper airway, from the nose to the larynx. In adults, swollen adenoids can cause obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious medical condition that causes pauses in breathing during…
What happens during a visit with a pediatric sleep apnea doctor?
Children suffering from sleep apnea can suffer serious, long-term consequences. Pediatric sleep apnea is usually caused by an obstruction in the airway, either enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or anatomical reasons such as a narrow throat. Obesity can also be an underlying cause of sleep apnea in children, since excess adipose tissue can cause sleep-disordered breathing….
How Seasonal Allergies Can Affect Your Sleep
Spring is here— the most beautiful time of year for many people. However, for those who have seasonal allergies, it is rather a time to brace themselves for not only the onslaught of symptoms but also for the sleepless nights. If you’re one of those whose seasonal allergies are keeping them from drifting off to…
How Can a Pediatric Sleep Apnea Doctor Help Your Child?
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes pauses in breathing during sleep, usually due to an obstruction in the upper airway. It can affect not just adults but also children, through what’s referred to as pediatric sleep apnea. Symptoms of pediatric apnea include night sweats, mouth breathing, loud snoring, pauses in breathing, and interrupted sleep….
How to Recognize Sleep Apnea in Children
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes brief pauses in breathing while you sleep. In children, sleep apnea is often caused by a blockage in the upper airway, as enlarged tonsils and adenoids are very common in children. Other possible causes include being overweight, wherein the fat deposits in areas surrounding the upper…
How Can a Pediatric Sleep Apnea Doctor Help Your Child?
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes children to stop breathing during sleep. During an episode, the airways close partially as the muscles in the throat relax, causing the child to snore or jerk awake. Sleep apnea can cause your child to get restless, incomplete sleep. They may snore a lot and…
When to See a Sleep Specialist
Ideally, people fall asleep easily and wake up refreshed and energized. However, the reality is that many people are sleep-deprived, and some of us have a sleep disorder that warrants medical attention so it can be corrected. The main organ that needs a quality sleep in order to fully function properly is the brain. Although…
