How Long Will It Take To Recover From Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Children & How Long Does The Symptoms Last?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem that blocks the airflow in the lungs eventually resulting in pausing in breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea often results in a poor quality of sleep. With time, untreated sleep apnea can result in serious health problems. About 1 to 5 percent of children have obstructive sleep apnea.

Several conditions make a child more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea. These conditions are called risk factors. A child can have more than one risk factor for Obstructive sleep apnea. The more risk factors your child has, the greater the chance of having sleep apnea.

There are certain risk factors such as Large Tonsils and/or Adenoids, obesity, the problem with muscle tone, genetic symptoms such as down syndrome, abnormal face or throat, prematurity, a with breathing control and family history can lead to the condition. When the condition is left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can cause serious problems sooner or later. Sleep apnea can affect a child’s quality of life. Some children can have their growth affected.

Children with mild Obstructive sleep apnea and without associated conditions may require close monitoring and follow-up. For those who require treatment, there are many treatment options available that can control or manage the disorder. Also depending on the child’s risk factors, specialized surgeries may also be required. Treatment of Obstructive sleep apnea should consist of giving room for air circulation, development of craniofacial development, progress in all symptoms, and blocking the advancement of adult Obstructive sleep apnea.^1,2

All children should be re-assessed medically after surgery. Substantial progress may happen soon after surgery and, conventionally, Obstructive sleep apnea improves 6-8 weeks after tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Similarly, with CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) treatment, which is regarded as the golden standard treatment for Obstructive sleep apnea, patients recover after 3-6 months of constant treatment. Studies show improvement was noticed in their academic performance, attention to detail and executive function.

Although CPAP and oral appliances work well, they’re not considered as a permanent cure for obstructive sleep apnea in children. The only sure way to relieve yourself of the disorder for good is to either lose weight or have surgery to get rid of excess flesh from the palate or throat. Most of these kids have moderate symptoms, and many outgrow the disorder.³

If overweight and obese individuals shed pounds, it would make both sleep apnea and other health challenges [such as cardiovascular illnesses] disappear on its own. Reducing just 10 percent of body mass can have a great impact on sleep apnea symptoms. In certain conditions, reducing a substantial amount of mass can even heal the disorder.⁴

Children who were under study reduced their weight at an average of 10 kilograms over the period of one year by eating 1,100 to 1,450 calories per day. The results showed that they recovered from sleep apnea symptoms much earlier compared to patients who did not diet.

The elimination of these symptoms usually begins as soon as CPAP is started. The soft, steady jet of air from the CPAP machine creates enough pressure to keep the airway open and you can feel improvement in your breathing cycle. Studies have suggested that the maximum effect is achieved in about 2 weeks.

Increased sleep results in a better quality of life, as treatment lessens Obstructive sleep apnea -related symptoms. The prospective advantages of effectively treating Obstructive sleep apnea involve medical development, decreased health care use and expenditures, and, perhaps, diminished heart failures and mortality.^5,6

References:

Also Read:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Hypersomnia – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
• Can Obstructive Sleep Apnea Cause Pulmonary Hypertension?