Something you may not have known about sleep apnea: over 90 percent of children who suffer from sleep apnea have enlarged obstructive tonsils and adenoids. In these cases, parents often choose the option of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy and overwhelmingly, have great results afterwards. Adults who treat their sleep apnea symptoms may be in for a few surprises as well. Here are some changes you may see after treating your sleep apnea.
March is National Sleep Awareness Month. This month, most of the country moved the clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time-- an event that can often disrupt sleep and impact our work and school days. At times like this, it's important for us to think about how good sleep -- or the lack of it -- can have an effect on our lives.
As you may already know, sleep apnea occurs when a person’s breathing temporarily stops during sleep. Obvious symptoms of sleep apnea such as loud snoring can indicate the possibility of sleep apnea -- but how is officially diagnosed, and how is it treated? Do more severe cases require surgery, or are there more comfortable remedies available?
Sleep apnea is a condition affecting one in fifteen Americans, or approximately eighteen million people. Although most people associate the condition with loud snoring, sleep apnea can cause serious problems if left untreated.
As parents, considering surgery for our children can be daunting. However, it is sometimes the best option. Such is the case when discussing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for persistent infections or difficulty sleeping.
Snoring is an issue that affects many adults but with children, snoring should not be ignored, as it can be a sign or symptom of something more significant than just noisy sounds at night.
Let’s take a look at the underlying issues that snoring may indicate and then discuss other symptoms to look for that make it clear it is time to bring your child to the doctor.
Noisy breathing is one of the most common complaints that ENT doctors hear from new parents, and in most cases it doesn't pose a serious threat and is easily managed.
However, noisy breathing can indicate a condition that may need a thorough medical evaluation. If your baby has noisy breathing, here are a few steps to think about that will help both parents and the treating physician understand the situation.
If you’re faced with an upcoming surgery, details like health insurance may be the last thing on your mind. Nonetheless, understanding your health insurance coverage is important. There can be a lot of information to process - so figuring out which details apply to you under what circumstances can sometimes be overwhelming.
Below are some frequently asked questions (and answers) about health insurance and your upcoming surgery at Virginia Ear Nose & Throat.
Snoring occurs when the soft tissues in the throat relax and partially block the airways. As air passes around the blockage, these tissues vibrate, producing a rattling sound. Snoring is fairly common in children. Many children snore occasionally, and around 10 percent snore on most nights. Let's take a closer look at what may be behind all that noise and what you can do to make it stop.
Millions of children are evaluated yearly for large tonsils and adenoids, which can cause problems ranging from obstructive sleep apnea to recurrent throat infections and ear infections. Symptoms usually include snoring and loud breathing, open-mouthed breathing, restless sleep, and pauses in breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to daytime sleepiness and crankiness, or may paradoxically lead to hyperactivity. Many children diagnosed with behavioral disorders such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, may actually have obstructive sleep apnea!
As the time approaches for going back to school, the importance of children and adults getting a good night sleep increases. Unfortunately many children and adults suffer from sleep apnea, which prevents sound, restful sleep on a regular basis.
