Can kids have sleep apnea?

[TruBlu]

The dentist called me back this week to show me how HUGE my 9 year old's tonsels are. They aren't swollen or anything, just really big. Tonight he fell asleep as I was telling him a story and I noticed that his breathing pattern is odd. He seems to stop breathing for a few seconds then gasp for breath. I hated to leave him alone in his room. Is it possible for a kid to have sleep apnea?

 

[JessicaR]

They absolutely can. Ask your pediatrician to order a sleep study.

 

[clh2]

Yes - kids can get sleep apnea too. My DD's was also related to her tonsils. Once her tonsils and adnoids came out - the problems were gone.

No sleep study was requested by us, nor was one suggested by the pedi or ENT.

But - apparently - her tonsils were HUGE.

 

[TruBlu]

They absolutely can. Ask your pediatrician to order a sleep study.

I just Googled it. It is freaking me out! He has a lot of the symptoms. Thankfully he has his physical this week so I can ask the doctor. The bad thing is that I'm so worried I don't know how I'm going to sleep myself!

 

[TruBlu]

Yes - kids can get sleep apnea too. My DD's was also related to her tonsils. Once her tonsils and adnoids came out - the problems were gone.

No sleep study was requested by us, nor was one suggested by the pedi or ENT.

But - apparently - her tonsils were HUGE.

I just woke him up so I could look at his throat again. His tonsils are touching each other.

 

[MinnieTink]

My "cube neighbor" at work has a daughter who is having this very issue. Tonsils are on their way out next week!

 

[JessicaR]

I just Googled it. It is freaking me out! He has a lot of the symptoms. Thankfully he has his physical this week so I can ask the doctor. The bad thing is that I'm so worried I don't know how I'm going to sleep myself!

Don't freak out. Do you think his tonsils are always that large or perhaps hes coming down with something? Usually they are not very quick to just take the tonsils out anymore and if he hasn't been suffering throat infections frequently, a sleep study may be necessary. Also, you can have sleep apnea and not have your tonsils. I'm glad he has an appointment this week. Try and keep him off his back while sleeping, that can help.

It is so likely that this has been an issue but you didn't notice until the dentist told you about it. If you think his breathing is out of the ordinary though then he really could have something brewing in the back of his throat.

 

[TruBlu]

Don't freak out. Do you think his tonsils are always that large or perhaps hes coming down with something? Usually they are not very quick to just take the tonsils out anymore and if he hasn't been suffering throat infections frequently, a sleep study may be necessary. Also, you can have sleep apnea and not have your tonsils. I'm glad he has an appointment this week. Try and keep him off his back while sleeping, that can help.

It is so likely that this has been an issue but you didn't notice until the dentist told you about it. If you think his breathing is out of the ordinary though then he really could have something brewing in the back of his throat.

He had his adenoids out a couple of years ago and they didn't mention anything about his tonsils. I really wish they had taken them out too.

Recently he has started to snore so loud that his brother won't share a room with him anymore. He also is tired a lot and falls asleep very quickly. His dad and I both have sleep apnea, so I'm afraid he may be doomed.

The dentist said that it didn't look like he had any type of infection or anything. She just said that his tonsils were huge. (He was calling himself a mutant. )

I think I'm going to ask about getting the tonsils out, but if they won't do that then he definitely needs a sleep study. He may need both.

I'm going to go stick his stuffed monkey under his shoulder to keep him on his side tonight.

 

[JessicaR]

He had his adenoids out a couple of years ago and they didn't mention anything about his tonsils. I really wish they had taken them out too.

Recently he has started to snore so loud that his brother won't share a room with him anymore. He also is tired a lot and falls asleep very quickly. His dad and I both have sleep apnea, so I'm afraid he may be doomed.

The dentist said that it didn't look like he had any type of infection or anything. She just said that his tonsils were huge. (He was calling himself a mutant. )

I think I'm going to ask about getting the tonsils out, but if they won't do that then he definitely needs a sleep study. He may need both.

I'm going to go stick his stuffed monkey under his shoulder to keep him on his side tonight.

Good thinking! Also if he'll go for it you could prop him up on pillows. You could also stick a pillow under the head of his mattress to keep him elevated a little. Both my boys suffered and my youngest still does he is now 13. The doctor says his tonsils wil start to atrophy soon. I want them out too! My oldest had them out and no more problems. My husband has sleep apnea, no tonsils or adnoids. My 13 year old has huge tonsils and we have had many ENT consults - they dont want to take them out.

 

[bdcp]

We just saw a news story last week on sleep apnea and they were showing kids that have it. The good news is, it's curable in kids because all they have to do is remove their tonsils and adenoids. In adults it's a different story and most short of losing weight have to use either a cpap or a dental device to alleviate the symptoms. My DH has it and uses a dental device.

I think if you do a sleep study they will remove the tonsils and adenoids. Also, the best way to prop the bed is books under the headboard area instead of propping him up on a pillow cause people do roll over in their sleep. Or get him a anti-snore type pillow that is shaped to help.

I've always had large tonsils (only had tonsilitis once when I was 19) and I never had sleep apnea. I never snored.