Sleep disordered breathing/apnoea in children.

Sleep Apnoea is a disordered breathing pattern which occurs during sleep.

Our brains have a respiratory centre within them which regularly check the level of oxygen circulating in our bloodstreams and control our rate and depth of breathing to ensure that good blood levels of oxygen are maintained. This is not something we think about, it is a naturally occuring phenomenon.

During sleep our breathing is slowed and can be shallower than during periods of wakefulness. We require less oxygen as we are not generally active at this time. For some children, because of upper airway infection, obesity, bone structure or differences in the internal structure of the nose, mouth and throat breathing may be slightly obstructed during sleep.

The respiratory center notes a drop in oxygen levels and "nudges" the response to breathe deeper until the levels return to acceptable limits.

Some children who experience morning tiredness, snoring, regular headaches, and a variety of other symptoms are actually suffering from sleep disordered breathing. Technically, where breath is held for 10 seconds, this is sleep apnoea. In daytime these children often breathe through their mouths and do not feel rested after sleep. Review by a Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat specialist should be carried out, as removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids can resolve the breathing issues quite quickly.

If your child has an unusual sleeping position, with their head tilted well back to allow a clearer breathing pathway, has excessive night sweats, sudden awakings related to breathing or does not seem rested after sleep this is a condition that should be considered. If your child has this problem and is treated you may find that their learning also improves along with their sleep.

If you have concerns about your child's sleep pattern, Contact Dream-Angus.com we can help you to help your child to a better sleep.

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are unusual behaviours or strange experiences, which occur mainly or only when going to sleep, during sleep or when waking up. Parents are often very concerned about these events, however they do not mean that the child is psychologically disturbed or medically ill in any way. Very often these events will stop after some time and without any intervention but sometimes safety measures must be taken to protect the child. For example in sleep walking it is useful to ensure that the child does not injure themselves.

There are currently over 30 types of recognised Parasomnias in two main groups.

Primary Parasomnias can be grouped according to the time of night when they occur.

Secondary Parasomnias are the expression of underlying medical, behavioural or psychiatric conditions. Nocturnal epilepsy, nocturnal panic attacks

Parasomnias occur at all ages but are more common in children than in adults. Children may have more than one type of parasomnia as they may also have more than one type of sleep disorder. Sleep apnoea can be associated with sleep walking for example.

It is very important that the parasomnias are correctly identified as the treatment and interventions required are dependant on this. Accurate identification depends on a detailed account of the experiences both from a subjective and objective sequence of events, the timing of the event and the cicumstances in which the event occured. Audio visual recording, in the form of home video can be very helpful in this.

Specific medication is usually only required in a minority of primary parasomnias but may be required to treat the underlying problem in secondary parasomnias.
Research information on Parasomnias is quite limited at the moment.

If you need help with your child's sleep disturbance Contact Dream-Angus.com