Many adults and children suffer from sleep apnea every day. This common illness often goes untreated due to unawareness of symptoms. There are many different treatment methods to helping to treat sleep apnea in adults and children. When diagnosing sleep apnea in children the initial approach is generally different than in adults. Virtuox Oximetry Testing Services is your leader in treating this illness in adults and children. Their qualified staff can help you to understand the risks, benefits, and testing options so that you can cure this debilitating illness and return to your happy, healthy, life.

Treatment Methods

Common treatment methods for children with sleep apnea vary from common treatment methods used in adults because of the different causes of sleep apnea. Additionally, a much larger number of adults are affected by sleep apnea than children. While roughly 5% of children suffer from sleep apnea, almost 26% of adults suffer from this common sleep disorder. Adults with sleep apnea commonly attribute their condition to excessive weight, the circumference of their neck and onset of age. With the exception of weight loss, there is no reverse for the neck dimension or age reversal, leaving the only options for adults to utilize pulse oximetry testing for home oxygen qualification. In children sleep apnea is commonly associated to enlarged tonsils and/or enlarged adenoids. Because of this cause, a permanent surgical procedure such as adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy can fix the child’s problem permanently.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

Properly diagnosing sleep apnea is imperative for effectively treating this disease. Virtuox offers a premier oximetry testing service that makes comfortable, in home testing available to patients. Our at home pulse oximetry test offers patients the convenience and comfort of testing from their home in their natural environment. This allows for tests results that are more accurate which in turn allows for a more precise treatment plan. Another method of diagnosing sleep apnea is an overnight polysomnogram, which is conducted in a sleep lab. When diagnosing sleep apnea in a sleep lab all of the same tools are used on adults measuring all of the same movements and activities, but for children, an additional measure is done known as the end tidal CO2.

Additional Treatment Methods in Children

Children are treated differently than adults once they test positive for sleep apnea. In addition to a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy, children can utilize other treatment methods such as oral and dental appliances which are usually contraindicated in older children whose facial bones are mostly done growing. Additionally, allergy medications can be effective if it is found seasonal allergies are the cause or if they are aggravating their symptoms. When a respiratory disorder is contributed to sleep apnea, asthma medications or respiratory inhalers can be an effective mean of treatment.

Is Sleep Apnea Treatment More Effective in Adults Than in Children?

This question can be answered by considering the details of the treatment methods and if they are a permanent resolution. One of the most common treatment approaches for treating sleep apnea in adults and the first method used is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, also known as a CPAP machine. This helps the patient to ensure steady breathing throughout the night. If upon examination an obstruction is found in the airway tubes, surgery can be an option for treating this illness in adults. Oral breathing devices such as nasal dilators are another night time option for adults. One of the most practical treatment methods in adults is also a common one is children, which is weight loss. If the adult or the child is overweight, sleep apnea can be cured if effectively committing to a diet and weight loss plan.

In conclusion, it appears that in most cases children experience sleep apnea due to an adenoid enlargement or a tonsil enlargement. The surgery for this is minimally invasive and recovery is quite quick. With this treatment method, it is likely to consider that treating sleep apnea in children is easier than treating sleep apnea in adults. In severe cases, home oxygen qualification can greatly enhance the patient’s quality of life. Call Virtuox today for a free consultation and see how we can help you get the treatment you need for your sleep apnea.