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Though it has been known for some time that children who have sleep apnea often produce low scores on IQ tests (typically scoring about 85 against a score of 101 for children without sleep apnea) what we have not known until recently is that this results from chemical changes taking place in the brain. This means that a normally ‘smart’ kid might well turn in a run of the mill performance as a result of nothing more than a sleep disorder which can be quite easily treated in the majority of instances.

In a study which was conducted at the Hopkin’s Children’s Centre in Baltimore 31 children between the ages of 6 and 16 (19 of whom suffered from severe sleep apnea) were examined with a form or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and it was found that the children suffering from sleep apnea displayed considerable alterations in both the right frontal cortex and hippocampus – two sections of the human brain which are associated with learning and higher mental function. This same study also discovered that these children had altered levels of three chemicals in the brain that is indicative of brain damage.

This change in the chemistry of the brain brought about by sleep apnea could or could not be permanent and additional studies will be required to see whether or not this affect can be reversed. But, even if this problem can be reversed and the cognitive function and brain chemistry can be normalized, children with sleep apnea are going to continue to have a loss in learning as long as they are suffering from sleep apnea which is left untreated and they will certainly not be able to wind back the clock and recover this learning period.

Naturally parents should already be looking for signs of sleep apnea in their children however this latest study shows that an early diagnosis and treatment of this sleep disorder could have a very large affect on a child’s life.

The indicators of sleep apnea may include frequent pauses in breathing while sleeping which often produce an arousal from sleep and tossing and turning. Children might also show loud or labored breathing, snoring, coughing, gasping and, sometimes, bedwetting at an age when this phase should normally have passed. Parents could additionally notice a child sleeping in an unusual position, possibly with their bottom sticking up in the air and their head slanted backwards in an unwitting attempt to force their airway open.

In nearly all instances childhood sleep apnea can be treated by the surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids or of excess tissue from the back of the throat or nose. In addition, a CPAP (continuous positive airways pressure) machine may also be recommended to provide a child with a flow of air which is delivered through a mask worn while sleeping to maintain an open airway.

Sleep apnea is in itself debilitating for any child and the affects of a lengthy period of restless sleep will take its toll on your child. However, when you combine this with a reduction in a child’s IQ, it is crucial that you act at the earliest possible opportunity to see that this problem is diagnosed and then treated.

Sleep apnea is not a disorder to be taken lightly and is a condition that is not going to go away by itself in time. Sleep apnea is in fact classed as a “progressive disease” which means that just like heart disease, cancer and diabetes it worsens with time. There is considerable dispute in the medical community over the effect that sleep apnea has on other medical conditions. This said, there is a definite link between sleep apnea and a variety of physical conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, heart attack, pulmonary hypertension, stroke and kidney failure. Researchers are looking more and more into why these conditions are linked to problems that erupt the upper airways of a person with sleep apnea. It is well known of course that being overweight, smoking and abusing alcohol contribute to sleep apnea and in turn lead to a higher probability of developing heart disease and high blood pressure. It is not clear however why some people without these elements in their lifestyle still have sleep apnea. When breathing stops during a sleep apnea episode the blood shows raised carbon dioxide levels and lower oxygen levels. Consequently, a number of both physical and chemical events takes place within the body that then increases the possibility of other problems arising in the body. In individuals who suffer from sleep apnea and who are also overweight researchers have discovered that they have high levels of immune factors known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin. High levels of these factors can produce serious inflammation which can lead to cell damage, especially within the arteries. In one study it was found that individuals with raised tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels had excessive tiredness, shortness of breath and weak heart pumping. However it must be said that at this time no clear causal relationship has been scientifically established between sleep apnea and heart disease.A number of studies have been carried out to examine high blood pressure and sleep apnea and a connection has been found between the two. For example, a study done in 2000 looked at patients for four years and reported that the greater the number of sleep apnea episodes they experienced in the first year the greater the risk of developing hypertension by the third or fourth year. Even in those people who snored or who experienced only mild sleep apnea there was a small but nonetheless higher than normal link with high blood pressure. In the past the link between sleep apnea and high blood pressure was considered to be strongly connected to obesity. Recent studies however point to the fact hypertension is seen particularly in those people who have sleep apnea regardless of how much they weigh. Blood pressure has an effect on sleep apnea because it varies tremendously during repeated sleep apnea episodes. These fluctuations are also associated with changes in the form of sudden surges that occur within the sympathetic nervous system. This system controls involuntary muscles and especially those which take place the heart and blood vessels. It is strongly believed that as time passes these variations might play an important role in the development of permanent and long term hypertension.

Sleep apnea is one of the commonest of all sleep disorders and affects approximately eighteen million people in the United States. A sleep disorder which is characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, it is also unquestionably the most dangerous of sleep disorders because it starves the brain of essential oxygen and can sometimes prove to be fatal.

There are two completely different forms of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is in essence a neurological condition in which the breathing is interrupted as a result of signals sent from the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea by contrast is in essence a mechanical problem in which the windpipe is blocked either by excessive tissue or by the abnormal collapse or relaxation of the muscles around the windpipe. In either case however the results are essentially identical with regular interruptions to normal breathing that deprive the brain of oxygen and put the sufferer at greater risk from things like high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Sadly, diagnosing sleep apnea is not always easy because snoring, which is a common symptom and often results in sleep apnea being known as the snoring disease, is also present as a symptom of various other conditions. Snoring is usually present in cases of sleep apnea because the brain responds to a drop in oxygen by awakening the sufferer sufficiently to restart the breathing process and this usually produces snoring.

This repeated awakening through the night also causes a very poor quality of sleep and it is not at all uncommon for sleep apnea sufferers to get up in the morning feeling even more tired than when they went to bed. This also results in a feeling of exhaustion during the day and an overpowering desire to sleep.

However, tiredness resulting from a poor quality of sleep is just one part of the picture and a range of other symptoms will also generally be present including morning headaches, poor memory and a problem in concentrating.

Without treatment the growing exhaustion from sleep apnea can produce severe psychological difficulties beginning with touchiness and progressing to depression with noticeable changes in both mood and behavior.

Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea can be treated and, providing the problem is caught at an early stage, treatment is often reasonably easy. For example, a mild case of obstructive sleep apnea resulting from nasal congestion can normally be treated with little more than a course of decongestants. In the same way, a lot of cases of sleep apnea that are not too severe can be treated with a mask that is worn during sleep and that delivers a constant pressure of air to keep the airway open. Finally, in the most severe cases of sleep apnea surgery might be required and can be extremely effective, though it can also lead to various complications and has to be approached with care.

Probably the most important thing to remember when treating sleep apnea is that as it carries with it the potentially fatal risk of respiratory failure sufferers ought not to be tempted to use sleeping pills or to take other forms of sleep enhancers without the approval of a doctor.

Natural sleep remedies unquestionably provide an effective complement to prescribed medication and herbal remedies which are intended to improve both the quality and duration of sleep may well help in the management of the excessive daytime sleepiness normally brought on by sleep apnea. Similarly, things like aromatherapy, chromatherapy and meditation and guided relaxation can help to reduce the anxiety and insomnia that come with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is one of several common sleep disorders and the most widespread type of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is a disorder characterized by periods during which breathing ceases while sleeping. On occasions this medical condition is called sleep apnea syndrome or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

In otherwise healthy individuals the muscles that are responsible for controlling the upper section of the throat ensure that the flow of air in and out of the lungs is continuous and steady. During sleep these muscles relax slightly but still manage to do their job properly. However those people who suffer from sleep apnea frequently have airways which are narrowed and therefore when the throat muscles relax the airway partially or completely closes thereby stopping the passage of air to the lungs. Labored breathing and snoring leading to a sleep apnea episode will then occur.

In some individuals breathing can also cease altogether during periods of deep (or REM) sleep and researchers and medical experts are nor clear about just why this happens. These times during which breathing stops can last for ten seconds or more and are referred to as sleep apnea episodes or apneic events.

These apneic events result in a degree of awareness that you have ceases breathing and you then struggle to breath again which is usually accompanied by choking, gasping or even snorting.

Thereafter it is normal to settle into a period of light sleep before the pattern of apneic events starts again.

The consequence is that an individual suffers from sleep that is fragmented and does not allow them to get amount of rest which they require on a nightly basis. This can lead to a variety of health problems including excessive daytime tiredness. One of the reasons for this daytime symptom is the fact that the level of oxygen in the blood falls significantly during an apneic event leading to a condition called hypoxia.

It is important to understand that a lot of individuals who suffer from sleep apnea are unaware of their problem and frequently it is left to others to point out the problem. Sleep apnea sufferers are normally aware of how excessively tired they are throughout the day but do not necessarily know why this is so.

The commonest symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, waking in the morning and not feeling rested, morning headaches, problems with memory and attention span, alterations in personality, falling asleep at inappropriate times, hypertension, high activity levels (in children only) and swelling of the legs in severe cases. The symptoms ought not to be disregarded as the danger of sleep apnea is very real.

The initial step in diagnosing sleep apnea should be an appointment with the doctor who will read through your medical history and examine your mouth, throat and neck for any growths or abnormalities. If sleep apnea is suspected your physician will refer you for a sleep study and what is known as a polysomnogram (or PSG). This test records brain waves, eye movement, muscle activity, breathing rate, heart rate, oxygen levels in the blood and the amount of air which is being both exhaled and inhaled during sleep.

Sleep apnea is a very common disorder which often goes unrecognized but which can be extremely dangerous and which can also usually be effectively treated.

Sleep apnea is one of the most commonly seen sleep disorder and affects in the region of 18 million people in the United States. A sleeping disorder which is characterized by interrupted breathing during sleep, it is also without question the most dangerous of all sleep disorders because it starves the brain of critical oxygen and can occasionally prove fatal.

There are two totally different types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is essentially a neurological disorder where breathing is broken because of signals sent out by the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea by contrast is in effect a mechanical problem where the windpipe is obstructed either by excessive tissue or as a result of the unusual relaxation or collapse of the muscles around the windpipe. In both cases however the results are essentially identical with regular interruptions to the breathing which deprive the brain of oxygen and place the sufferer at heightened risk from things like hypertension, stroke and heart attack.

Unluckily, diagnosing sleep apnea is not always easy as snoring, which is a common symptom and frequently results in sleep apnea being known as the snoring disease, is also commonly seen as a symptom of a variety of medical problems. Snoring is often seen with sleep apnea because the brain responds to a drop in oxygen by waking the sufferer sufficiently to restart the breathing process and this often gives rise to snoring.

This recurrent awakening during the night also produces a very poor overall quality of sleep and it is not at all uncommon for sufferers to wake up in the morning feeling more tired than they were when they got into bed. This also causes feelings of sheer exhaustion during the day and a great desire to sleep.

But, tiredness resulting from poor quality sleep is only one part of the problem and a range of other symptoms will also generally be present including headaches in the morning, forgetfulness and a difficulty in maintaining concentration.

Without treatment the accumulating exhaustion from sleep apnea can cause serious psychological problems starting with simple touchiness and moving on to depression with obvious changes in mood and behavior.

Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea can be treated and, providing the condition is caught at an early stage, treatment is often reasonably easy. For example, minor cases of obstructive sleep apnea caused by nasal congestion can often be treated with little more than decongestants. Also, a lot of cases of sleep apnea that are not especially serious can be treated with a mask which is worn during sleep and which provides air at a constant pressure in order to keep the airway open. Finally, in the most serious cases surgery might be necessary and can be extremely effective, though it may also result in several complications and must be considered with caution.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when treating sleep apnea is that as it carries with it the potentially fatal risk of respiratory failure sufferers ought not to be tempted to take sleeping pills or to use other forms of artificial sleep enhancers without the approval of their doctor.

Natural sleep remedies certainly provide an effective complement to prescribed medicines and herbal remedies which are designed to improve the duration and quality of sleep can assist in the management of the excessive daytime sleepiness often brought on by sleep apnea. Similarly, such things as aromatherapy, chromatherapy and meditation and guided relaxation will help to combat the anxiety and insomnia that go together with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnia does not always affect adults. It can be a problem for children as well but it can be difficult to diagnose. Here are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea to look out for in children:

Children younger than 5 years old might have sleep apnea if you notice them snoring, sweating, waking up more than normal, breathing through the mouth, and general restlessness. It is difficult to tell whether they have it just by looking at them and of course you can’t ask them what the problem is. If you suspect that something is wrong, you should always consult your doctor first with a small child.

Children older than 5 years might have symptoms that include snoring, not growing at the normal rate, bed wetting, and a short attention span. It is difficult to correctly diagnose sleep alpnea from these symptoms alone but you can ask the child whether they are sleeping well and if they have any problems. Of course, even if they do have sleep apnea, they might think that it is normal and not know that the troubles they are having are not normal.

Snoring is the common symptom in almost all children of any age. Sleep apnea makes it difficult to sleep and deprives both children and adults of precious sleep time. It is usually harder to tell in children than in adults that they are sleep deprived because children naturally have so much energy. Children also have more difficulty expressing themselves and telling you that something is wrong. They might also be emvarrassed to talk about it as well.

If your child shows some of the symptoms of sleep apnia or if you are just suspicious that something may not be right, it is always advisable to go to your doctor. Getting sleep apnia help from your doctor and taking preventative measures is the best course of action. Your doctor can do his own evaluation and is better able to tell you exactly what you should be looking for in your child to determine whether your child has sleep apnea.

The symptoms of sleep apnea are most frequently seen in men who are over forty and also overweight but they can appear at any age in both men and women and are being seen more and more in children.

The clearest symptom of sleep apnea (which is only one of a number of common sleep disorders) is snoring which is hard to spot yourself and usually needs to be pointed out to you by a sleeping partner. There are however many reasons for snoring and the mere fact that you snore is not in itself an indication that you have sleep apnea. However, most sleep apnea sufferers snore.

The next most obvious symptom of sleep apnea is undue tiredness during the day. Sleep apnea sufferers stop breathing frequently while asleep and the body’s natural reaction is to awaken you enough for you to begin breathing again, but not enough for you to be conscious of the fact that you are being aroused. This means that your sleep is continually interrupted and therefore very light so that you do not get the deep sleep that you need. The result of this is that you grow more and more tired during the day.

Left untreated the effects of sleep apnea begin to emerge and you will begin to experience additional symptoms that could include headaches (especially first thing in the morning), touchiness and depression. You might also notice that you are beginning to gain weight.

A further not quite so obvious symptom of sleep apnea is a rise in blood pressure which can lead to several cardiovascular problems. should you be one of the growing number of people who are now monitoring their own blood pressure at home you will detect this fairly easily but, otherwise, it will not be found unless and until you visit your doctor to have a routine physical.

Another symptom is that of learning difficulties and growing problems with memory retention. This is once again not something which is easy for you to spot yourself but others around you might well notice that you are not as fast on the uptake as you once were.

Lastly, some sleep apnea sufferers will notice a drop in sexual function that can lead to impotency.

Each of these symptoms in isolation could be indicative of just about any problem you care to mention. If you start to see these symptoms appearing together however there is a better than even chance that you have sleep apnea and you ought to talk to your physician and consider having a sleep apnea test.