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snoring with pauses, choking is a strong indicator of sleep apnea and should be
evaluated by a health professional |
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| | | 11
years old boy came with complaints of snoring, with choking in sleep. He
also had h/o nightmares and sleep talking. Parents also noticed a change in personality,
had become (more aggressive) and child had poor concentration during the day with
excessive sleepiness in the day. There was history of frequent blocked nose
with nasal allergies. Overnight
sleep study was performed. Revealed increased hypopnoeas & apnoeas with
oxygen desaturation. Thus
this case highlights the importance of detecting Sleep Disordered Breathing in
children. 
| | Can
children suffer from a SLEEP DISORDER? YES. Here I describe a case. A
young girl, 15 years old, student of class IX,
studying in a boarding school, came to the Department of Sleep medicine at Ganga
Ram Hospital with complaints of: - increased
sleep episodes since September 2006.
- fall
in her grades
Her
teachers reported that she had difficulty in waking up for class, would sleep
during the classes and also after school hours. Often they found it difficult
to wake her up and had to call her parents. Her parents consulted many local doctors
but there was no improvement in her symptoms. Later she was brought to dept. of
Sleep medicine, SGRH, New Delhi in April 2007. A
detailed evaluation revealed that her sleep rhythm was completely disrupted. She
had delayed sleep onset by about 5-6 hrs. And admitted to a feeling restlessness
in her legs with an urge to move them at sleep onset. She used to keep tossing
and turning in bed, which slightly relieved her symptoms. She felt tired throughout
the day with increased sleepiness. She responded positively for all the symptoms
of Restless Legs Syndrome (children's criteria). There
was no family history of RLS. Her investigations revealed very low levels of Iron
and Vitamin B12, she was given an Actigraph to wear around her ankle for 2 nights
that showed increased leg movements with delayed sleep onset. She
was given iron and vit B12 supplements and a dopamine agonist. On
follow up 2 months later she has had no further episodes of increased sleep and
there is a marked improvement in her school performance. THUS
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO MAKE THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS, THEREBY GIVE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT.
| A
51 years old male, presented with complaints
of abnormal behavior in sleep for 6 years, These were accompanied with tongue
bite and passage of urine in bed. He was given treatment for epilepsy with no
change in symptoms. He also has high blood pressure for 6 year and diabetes for
10 years. On direct enquiry there is history of snoring with excessive daytime
sleepiness. Considering all the above OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA was considered
and patient was advised An overnight SLEEP STUDY. This revealed severe Obstructive
Sleep Apnoea for which he has been advised to use CPAP & also lose weight..
Representative traces of sleep study are provided:
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| I
am a 65 years old lady, have been having pain in my legs ,which increased
in the evening,particulary when I lay down to sleep. Along with this I had difficulty
in falling asleep, felt very tired in the morning, with no interest in house-work
,routine activities. I was prescribed antidepressants, sedatives for helping me
to sleep and pain-killers for my leg pain. Investigations revealed Lumbar Canal
Stenosis ,was advised physiotherapy and nerve conduction tests and electromyography.
I met Dr. Bhatia, for the tests, she asked me certain questions regarding my symptoms,and
diagnosed me to have RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME ,for which I was prescribed a tablet
at night. This controlled my pains, improved my sleep and also have been able
to stop all the antidepressants and sedative medication |
| I
am 42 years old, had very loud snoring with pauses, choking during sleep,
and used to sleep in the meetings and also while driving. I was also diagnosed
to have hypertension recently ,for which I am taking regular treatment. My weight
is 100 kg and height 5'7".I underwent a sleep study, diagnosed to have OBSTRUCTIVE
SLEEP APNOEA, and advised tochange my lifestyle, buy a CPAP with regular use.
I have been using it for 2 years now, have lost 15 kg of weight, stopped smoking
and drinking. My blood pressure is well controlled, feel very alert during the
day. | | I
am 67 years old, came to Dr. bhatia with symptoms of increased movements of
body in sleep with occ. Shouting ,occ fell off the bed and hurt myself. I was
evaluated in detail, including an OVERNIGHT SLEEP STUDY-diagnosed to have parasomnia---
REM SLEEP BEHAVIOR DISORDER. I was prescribed a medicine to take at night, have
had no further episodes for the past 2 years. | | I
am 52 years old lady, have always been a poor sleeper ,feel tired during the
day with, heaviness of head and generalized bodyaches. I have been taking medicines
for 4 years with gradually increase in the doses. I met Dr. bhatia,who asked me
about my sleep habits and eating/drinking habits etc. She then advised me about
tips on food, diet,exercise etc.,in addition taught me certain relaxation techniques,including
breathing (Pranayam).With all this my sleep has improved and I have gradually
been able to get off the medications for inducing sleep. |
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