Tracking behavior can be tricky, especially for those raising teenagers. They’re growing up and figuring out who they are. That self-discovery phase can shift their behavior, as can hormonal changes and general day-to-day life. So, how can someone tell when those shifts are the signs of something more serious? Could those teenage behavior changes be sleep apnea induced?
Sleep Apnea and Behavior
Sleep apnea keeps people from restful sleep. This sleep breathing disorder is equal to frequent breathing interruptions. People with sleep apnea startle awake regularly throughout the night because they can’t breathe. And how do most of us react to not getting enough sleep? We’re crabby, easily frustrated, and probably a little more unpleasant than usual.
When this pattern becomes the norm, we become sleep deprived. What does that look like behaviorally?
- Impulsivity
- Hyperactivity
- Attentional difficulties
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Aggression
Teenage Behavior
Generally speaking, the teenage years are synonymous with many of the behaviors mentioned above. And because these things are already common for teenagers, it can be hard to discern where those behaviors are coming from. Are they puberty, hormones, a bad day, or a lack of sleep from something like sleep apnea?
This challenge makes it even more important to be conscious of and aware of the potential for sleep breathing disorders like sleep apnea.
The Difference Between Sleep Apnea and Sleep breathing disorders
No child should be snoring, period. Maybe you’re wondering if that snoring you hear them doing is actually sleep apnea or just snoring. Hopefully, this will help you tell the difference, but keep in mind snoring means an airway blockage either way and is still a cause for concern.
- Loudness: usually the louder the snoring, the greater the cause for concern. Snoring is never good since that sound is produced by the vibration of the soft tissue in the throat. This vibration leads to elongation of the tissue over time and makes it easier for it to close off the airway. Healthy breathing is quiet.
- Frequency: if your child snores more than three times a week, even without other symptoms, it’s recommended that they receive an evaluation
- Abnormal noises: sounds like gasping, snorting, and choking may demonstrate that your child has to work extra hard to breathe
Sleep apnea defined is a complete stoppage of breathing, however there are many different kinds of diagnosable sleep disordered breathing. Notably, children and adolescents can have minor interruptions in blood oxygen. These are called intermittent hypoxias. Just a slight drop in blood oxygen that is fleeting has been shown to be very detrimental to developing brains in children. The final maturation of part of the brain is not complete until age 26 or so as has been discovered in research.
The point is all children and teenagers need the best sleep they can get to include both quality and quantity. A lack of ideal sleep will negatively affect cognitive development that may be permanent. Any suspicion of sleep problems should be evaluated and a sleep study performed to understand what is happening in sleep. This is essential to the total health of your child.
Scheduling a Consultation
For more information about potential treatment options for sleep breathing disorders, contact Dr. Buck at 425-361-7499.
