Dear Dr Rosenberg,
My eight year old snores and has been having some problems concentrating in school. My Primary Care Provider said that a Sleep Study might be a good idea. She said that sometimes removing the Tonsils and Adenoids can help. Is this true?
Yes, it is true provided your child actually stops breathing as opposed to just snoring. Recent studies have shown that untreated children with Sleep Apnea develop neuropsychological defects of memory, learning and executive function which includes decision making, impulse control and planning. Even more worrisome is the fact, that if ignored these changes can be permanent.
Dear Dr Rosenberg,
I frequently wake up with a feeling of a lump in my throat. I feel the need to clear my throat and sometime I cough. It is becoming more frequent and it is leaving me feeling tired in the morning. Any ideas as to what might be causing this?
It sounds like you are experiencing LPR (Laryngopharyngeal reflux). Basically your stomach contents are coming up into your throat at night. This may or may not be associated with Sleep Apnea. However, it needs to be checked out as it may lead to further disturbed sleep, damage to your vocal cords or even pneumonia due to aspiration.
Dear Dr Rosenberg,
I have had Cluster Headaches for years. They are one sided; usually over my eye, and last from a half an hour, to several hours. They are always accompanied by increased tearing or nasal stuffiness on the same side as the headache. They almost always occur at night. I am seeing a Neurologist who says they could be “Sleep Related” and I should be tested. Does this make sense?
Yes, in the case of Cluster Headaches that are predominantly occurring during the night it does. We know that nocturnal Cluster Headaches tend to occur during REM Sleep. A recent study showed that amongst people with nocturnal Cluster Headaches; 80% had Sleep Apnea. It is important to be aware that Sleep Apnea tends to be most severe during REM (Dream sleep). It is felt that the drops in oxygen during these apneas may be triggering the headaches. On a positive note, treating the Sleep Disorder decreases the frequency of these headaches significantly.
Dear Dr Rosenberg,
I think I have Sleep Apnea. According to my wife, I don’t snore; so my Health Care Provider says I can’t have Sleep Apnea. I’m always sleepy and fatigued. Do you agree that I can’t have it?
Actually, not all patients have snoring that is obvious to one’s spouse. In fact, the majority of snoring may occur in REM (dream sleep).This occurs between two to four am when your bed partner is far less likely to be awake. Additionally, some patients present with gasping, choking, drooling or a dry mouth in the absence of observed snoring. So your bed partner not observing you snoring may not eliminate the possibility.
Dr. Robert Rosenberg, Board Certified Sleep Medicine Specialist, will answer readers’ questions by incorporating them in furture columns. Contact him at askthesleepdoc@yahoo.com or via mail at the Sleep Disorders Center of Sedona, 210 S. Sunset drive, suite A-1, sedona, AZ 86336.
