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.
Sleep is important at any age, and children need it a lot more as they are still growing and developing. A pediatric sleep apnea doctor can examine your child and create a treatment plan that helps them return to sleeping soundly through the night. Let’s talk about what you can expect during an appointment with this specialist.
Review of Health History
The first thing a pediatric sleep apnea usually does is review your child’s health history. You will be asked questions about your child’s past illnesses, treatments, and details pertaining to the sleep issue, such as when the symptoms began and what symptoms your child experiences during sleep. Be ready to describe your child’s symptoms in detail, such as loud snoring, pauses in breathing followed by snorts or gasps, and generally having restless sleep.
Exams and Tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam and check your child’s mouth, neck, and throat to see what may be causing the problem. They may also recommend a sleep study to find out if your child has problems breathing during sleep. A sleep study takes place either in a sleep lab or at home, during which critical information is recorded about your child’s oxygen intake, breathing rate, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and eye and body movements during sleep.
Treatment
Based on the information collected, a treatment plan that is most helpful to your child will be created. Treatment for pediatric sleep apnea is personalized, and your child’s treatment plan may include lifestyle changes and the use of an oral appliance, a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), or a BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) machine, and if necessary, minimally invasive surgery.
By seeing a pediatric sleep apnea doctor, you will find out what is causing your child’s sleep apnea. With treatment, your child is one step closer to getting uninterrupted sleep. Through intervention, serious physical, mental, and behavioral consequences that may result from untreated sleep apnea can be prevented.
Pediatric Sleep Apnea Doctor in Georgetown, TX
Dr. Scott William Franklin at Georgetown ENT is uniquely qualified to treat pediatric sleep apnea caused by upper airway obstructions. His special training in sleep medicine provides you and your child with a wider and more comprehensive range of treatment options. We are proud to welcome you to The Sleep Center at Georgetown ENT, which is a fully accredited sleep lab.
Dr. Franklin will decide on the best treatment option for your child based on their specific symptoms, the underlying cause, and your preference. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Franklin, call our ENT clinic today at (512) 869-0604 or use our convenient appointment request form.
