Sleep can be challenging for kids. When kids aren’t getting enough sleep at night, their brains and bodies do not have the rest needed to get them through the following day. For children with sleep disorders, going back to school this year may be a real challenge.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may interfere with getting a good night’s sleep, which may, in turn, contribute to children having a hard time paying attention, being less motivated to learn, and perform academically during the day.

OSA is caused by an obstruction of the airway (such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids).

This is most likely to happen during sleep because that’s when the soft tissue at the back of the throat is most relaxed. As many as 1% to 3% of otherwise healthy preschool-age kids have obstructive apnea. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the most common causes of sleep apnea in children.

In general, sleep deprivation is a problem among children in America. According to NSF’s Sleep in America poll, more than two-thirds of children experience one or more sleep problems at least a few nights a week. For children with ADHD, poor sleep (too little sleep or symptoms of sleep disorders) may profoundly impact ADHD symptoms. In fact, one study found that treating sleep problems may be enough to eliminate attention and hyperactivity issues for some children.

If you suspect that your child has sleep apnea, contact us today.