Mixed Apnea

Whether in Adults or In Children Can Be Life Threatening

Mixed Apnea can be one of the scariest forms of a sleep disorder in a person's life - especially in a parent's life. Apnea, after all, is a brief moment when we or a child literally stops breathing. Although it's quite common for people to pause in the regular pattern of breathing, apnea is identified when a pause lasts for twenty seconds or more and can develop into three distinct types: central and obstructive sleep apnea, or mixed.

Obstructive apnea is a common problem caused by a soft pallate, swollen tonsils or adenoids blocking the airway during sleep. Central apnea on the other hand, is a common neurological problem and prevents the brain from regulating normal breathing pattern. Each can contribute to insomnia and other forms of sleep deprivation. But apnea that is mixed, is both obstructive and central combined - and a person doesn't have to be sleep to experience it.

Commonly found in infants and children, apnea (mixed - that is, a combination of obstructive and central apnea) can be identified by a change in face color and/or choking. Known as ALTE (Apparent Life-Threatening Events), this deadly combination of an apnea condition, airway blockage, and apparent struggle to breathe must be treated as an emergency. When apnea is found in premature infants, it's called AOP, "Apnea of Prematurity." AOP is the result of an underdeveloped brain or respiratory system, but it's effects can be curtailed by positioning the child so that its head and neck is kept straight. You can also use medication, or (CPAP) continuous positive airway pressure, which is a mask that uses air to keep the airway open.

The proper way to assess if your child has this combination of apnea is to take him or her to your pediatric. If your doctor diagnoses this common combination of apnea in your child, you'll then learn about the different kinds of breathing treatment or forms of a cure that are available and that includes treatment that may require medication or surgery. In some cases, you may even need to pick an apnea monitor for home use. Of course it's always a good idea complete a CPR course so that you can prepare yourself for an emergency.

See Also: Sleep Apnea Cures

About The Author:
Nicole Miller is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.sleep-disorders-help.com.