Pediatric OSA Treatment

Let us continue talking about pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).  We have covered its background and complications, now its time for us to talk a little about treatment.   As we explained in previous blogs, as opposed to adults where OSA is most often related to being overweight, in otherwise healthy kids the most common cause of OSA is enlarged tonsils and adenoids (glands located at the exit of the nose canal as it... Complete news at...

Title: Health Tip: Depression in Seniors
Category: Health News
Created: 9/12/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/12/2008 Complete news at...

Do you snore? Do you have trouble sleeping because your spouse "rattles the walls" with their snoring? Are you are a little overweight and not fully refreshed by your sleep? Do you doze off a lot and just feel like you lack energy during the day? Then maybe the best holiday "gift" you can give yourself or significant other is an evaluation for sleep apnea.   Ironically, we haven't really talked much about the most common sleep disorder ... Complete news at...

We have already discussed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the adult, but have not spent much time on OSA in the pediatric age group, which despite also causing breathing to stop during sleep, can have different consequences, is often treated differently, and consequently is a very different disease.  Unfortunately pediatric OSA is often overlooked as a problem, and can lead to serious health problems. As is the case in an adult... Complete news at...

 Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Except for tracheotomy, it is also the most effective treatment for OSA. CPAP is basically a computerized air pump that delivers pressurized air through a hose and then through a nasal interface into the patient's throat. The pressurized air splints open the upper airways, preventing the airflow pauses (apneas) and airflow... Complete news at...

Title: Fall Risk Higher in Older Women Who Sleep Less
Category: Health News
Created: 9/9/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/9/2008 Complete news at...

I’d like to continue on the topic of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.   As we mentioned OSA is the repetitive stopping of breathing due to an obstruction in the child’s airway.  OSA can occur in children of all ages, but is probably more common in pre-school children.  As we explained, in most children the main reason for their OSA is not obesity, which is the main risk factor in the adult population... Complete news at...

Today let's focus on other health effects of sleep deprivation on the body. It should be noted that much of the research in this area is evolving and we are constantly learning more about the bad effects of sleep loss. High Blood Pressure (and possibly diabetes and heart disease?) The body senses sleep loss as a “stress-inducing” state, which raises levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline and other similar body transmitters... Complete news at...