What Is Sleep Apnea In Teens?
Sleep apnea is when breathing stops for durations exceeding 10 seconds during sleep. This prompts the brain to rouse them from their sleep to resume normal respiration. This recurrent interruption leads to fragmented and disrupted sleep, which is far from restorative. So, it's worth considering what course of action to take if you suspect your teenager's sleep-related challenges surpass the typical struggles of securing a rejuvenating 8 to 10 hours of slumber each night.
Impacts of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can stem from various sources, including obstructions in the airway or enlarged tonsils and the gravity of it extends beyond the immediate, exerting a profound impact on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of your teenager, both in the present and in the future. Fortunately, alongside addressing airway-related problems, there are different ways for managing and treating sleep apnea, some of which may involve orthodontic interventions.
Signs and Symptoms
Should you observe indications such as snoring, hyperactivity, breathing through the mouth, alterations in mood, and daytime drowsiness, there's a possibility that sleep apnea and airway problems might be at play.
Here are some more signs and symptoms;
- Snoring
- Irritability
- Challenges falling asleep or staying asleep
- Moments of halted breathing during sleep
- Incidents of choking or drooling during sleep
- Obesity
- Headaches
- Persistent mouth breathing
- Excessive hyperactivity
- Challenges linked to learning and behavior
- Teeth clenching or grinding
- Restlessness in bed
- Deterioration in academic performance
- Feelings of sleepiness or lethargy
- Occurrences of unconventional sleep-related behaviours, such as sleepwalking or night terrors
Navigating the Treatment Landscape for Sleep Apnea and airway Issues
At Royal Orthodontics, our approach to orthodontics is characterized by its non-invasive nature, and we place the client's needs at the forefront. We specialize in crafting tailored orthodontic treatment plans for teenagers, which are devised after a thorough evaluation. Treatment strategies for sleep apnea and airway problems may involve airway focused orthodontics with early interventions or the integration of other orthodontic alternatives such as Invisalign. The goal is to address the current condition, alleviate symptoms, and preempt potential health complications down the road.