| ||
| Vol. 22, No. 7 |
| April 15, 2000 |
 Parents Shouldn't Ignore Children Who Snore For many children, snoring can be more than a noisy nuisance. "Unfortunately, we don't have as good of an idea about snoring in children as we do in adults," says Dr. Max Hirshkowitz, associate director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Baylor College of Medicine. "We do know, however, that it can run the range from being relatively minor to being a symptom of sleep apnea." Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious, life-threatening condition that can trigger various abnormalities or developmental delay. It occurs when enlarged adenoid glands or tonsils block the upper airway passages during sleep, making it difficult for the child to breathe. Not every child who snores, however, is showing signs of sleep apnea. In general, snoring occurs when the floppy tissue in the airway relaxes and begins to vibrate. Many times the noise is caused by an enlarged soft palate and uvula, the lobe hanging from the back of the roof of the mouth. "Anything that limits the size of the airway, such as breathing through the mouth, sedating medications or chronic inflammation of the nose can increase snoring," Dr. Hirshkowitz says. He does warn, however, that even "simple" snoring carries some risks. The constant vibration can beat down throat tissue, leading to infection. The multiple sleep disturbances can also keep a child from achieving a truly restful state. "At school, these children will often wiggle around in their seats or doodle, all very subtle signs of sleepiness," Dr. Hirshkowitz says. "They become wound up, are unable to control their fidgeting and eventually stop paying attention." Snoring can affect more than a child's ability to make the grade at school. Many also suffer from weight problems, morning headaches and frequent bed wetting. Although parents might try to tune out their child's earsplitting habit, Dr. Hirshkowitz recommends getting a professional evaluation as soon as possible. - From Baylor College of Medicine Medications Can Bring Comfort to Patients Experiencing Pain Pain. It can be as simple as a headache. It can be a discomfort following surgery. Or it can be the lingering reminder of cancer. In all of these conditions there can be comfort and relief through the use of pain medications. The physicians of Texas Medical Association recognize the importance of pain management and urge patients to always discuss their health concerns with their doctor. The uncomfortable feeling of pain is the body's way of alerting you that something is wrong by sending a message to your brain. There are both drug and non-drug treatments available that can be successful in preventing and controlling pain. Many times patients believe they will get "hooked" on the medications prescribed to them for pain. Dr. Greg Guzley, a San Antonio oncologist, reminds patients that the risk of addiction when these medicines are used to control pain is so low that no patient should have to suffer pain because they are afraid to take the medicine. "These are strong medications and when used correctly can provide the necessary relief," he adds. Patients should talk to their doctors about the pain they will experience following surgery or from illness or disease. Pain control can provide comfort while healing, speed recovery and improve results of surgery. If you are scheduled for surgery, talk to your doctor about the following:
Put a Cap on Poison Prevention In a matter of seconds, a child could drink a cup of household cleaner mistaking it for apple juice or eat a hand full of aspirin thinking it was candy. More than 1 million children were unintentionally poisoned in 1998, and 90 percent of those poisonings occurred in the home. "Unintentional poisonings are 100 percent preventable," says Dr. Joan Shook, director of the Texas Children's Hospital Emergency Center. "Parents have a substantial impact on this problem. They can start with prevention." Dr. Shook recommends "poison proofing" a home to prevent unintentional poisonings. All household products should be locked away and out of the reach of children. Potentially poisonous items should never be left unattended while they are in use. Parents also should lock up any medication in the home, including those of guests, such as visiting grandparents. Child resistant medicine bottle caps are not foolproof, and some adults not accustomed to children may leave medication within a child's reach. Making others aware that the challenge of opening the bottle might become a source of interest or game for the child can prevent an accident from occurring. "Children also may find it hard to differentiate between a small, red pill and a red M&M," Dr. Shook says. "A parent should never refer to taking medicine as eating candy. They should say that it is medicine to develop a distinction between the two." In addition, easy access to alcohol and a child's tendency to mimic a parent might lead to alcohol poisoning. Remnants of alcohol in leftover glasses should not be left unattended. "Children just don't have adult-processing and decision-making skills," Dr. Shook says. "While in most cases the child is treated and sent home, some accidents can be fatal." - From Texas Children's Hospital
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/04_15_00/page_15.html |