A 45-year-old member asked:
Child with sleep apnea that does not stop breathing or snore and can not use cpap! alternative treatments?
2 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in
Dr. Adrienne Classenanswered
Pediatrics 30 years experience
Adenotonsillectomy: First of all, make sure that the sleep apnea is confirmed with a sleep study. If your child does have sleep apnea, adenotonsillectomy (removal of the adenoids & tonsils surgically) is often curative in children. From NIH: "Adenotonsillectomy for OSA results in a dramatic improvement in respiratory parameters as measured by polysomnography in the majority of healthy children."
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Doesn't make sense: By definition, during sleep apnea you stop breathing. We all cycle during breathing, meaning there is a brief period when there is no in/out going on. To have sleep apnea the period of no in/out is extended & blood oxygen level may drop significantly. This is at least a confusion of diagnosis or labeling. A true sleep study with proper video & oxygen assessment could sort this out.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
670 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 27, 2017
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