Children and Sleep Disorders

  • Tonsillectomies Aren’t Performed Primarily to Treat Throat Infections Anymore

    Thirty years ago, about 90% of tonsillectomies in children were done for recurrent throat infection; now it is about 20% for infection and 80% for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). What is a tonsillectomy? A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. Tonsils are two small glands located in the back of your throat. … Read More »

  • Top 5 Things You Should Know About Your Child’s Sleep as the School Year Starts

    How Much Sleep Does My Child Need? The National Sleep Foundation updated their recommended sleep duration guidelines for all age groups in 2015 based on an expert panel’s comprehensive review of published scientific studies on sleep and health. Ranges are given instead of a hard number for each age group. The experts acknowledge that there is individual … Read More »

  • How to Prepare Your Child for His Sleep Study.

    25-30 percent of children suffer from some form of sleep disturbance such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, sleepwalking, bed wetting or night terrors. 2-3 percent of children have sleep apnea. While many childhood sleep issues are not cause for concern, a disturbance that reduces your child’s quality or quantity of sleep on a regular basis can lead to more … Read More »

  • 10 of the Most Important Things You Need to Know About Sleep

    The National Sleep Foundation is celebrating its annual Sleep Awareness Week © March 6th through March 13th, to raise awareness of the health benefits of sleep and its importance to safety and productivity. We’ve compiled a list of ten of the most important things you should know about sleep. Learn more and spread awareness about sleep … Read More »

  • Sleeping and Sparklers: Keep 4th of July Fireworks from Waking You Up

    With the Fourth of July rapidly approaching, we’re all looking forward to a delicious backyard barbeque, celebrating with friends and family, and especially the nighttime fireworks display. What we might not be anticipating is the late-night cacophony that these explosions and celebrations cause. Learn here how to enjoy the festivities without the fidgety night! How … Read More »

  • Why Do Kids Like Jahi McMath Need Surgery to Remove their Tonsils for Sleep Apnea?

    The tragic events in Oakland over recent weeks have highlighted the risks of surgery for children. Thirteen year old Jahi McMath underwent routine surgery to remove her tonsils that obstructed her airways at night. She suffered heavy bleeding and cardiac arrest on December 12, three days after complex tonsillectomy surgery. These events have ignited a debate over … Read More »