How to Deal With Teen Sleep Apnea

If your teen snores or gasps for air while sleeping, she may have sleep apnea. Teenagers who wake up tired in the morning, are restless from the previous night of tossing and turning could be suffering from sleep apnea. The illness can affect other areas of your adolescent's life such as school, work and driving.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. See a doctor. Many cases of sleep apnea can be corrected by removing a tonsils or adenoids.

2. Help your child lose weight. Overweight teens are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. Studies show that losing weight helps lower the number of times your teenager stops breathing for short periods, causing sleep apnea, each night.

3. Sleep on your side or stomach, rather than your back. Sleeping face-up helps destruct the airway that is already affected with sleep apnea.

4. Visit a dentist to have a device made for your teen. Dental devices help open the airway and promote proper nigh time breathing.

5. Take your adolescent to a sleep clinic. They can confirm a diagnosis of sleep apnea or whether she is suffering from another form of sleep disorder.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your teen gets enough sleep each night. A tired teen is more likely to suffer from more sleep apnea episodes.
• If your teen's doctor has instructed him to use a sleeping apparatus at night, make sure he uses it every night. Symptoms will return quickly if it is not used.
• Don't allow teens to take sleeping pills. They can have an adverse affect when dealing with sleep apnea.

Resources

• Help your teen get the sleep he needs.

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