[KoK! Health] Our Child Nodding Off in Spring... Could It Be Sleep Apnea?

As temperatures rise and the weather warms, more people are experiencing frequent drowsiness and loss of motivation. This is especially common among adolescents with allergic rhinitis or sinusitis, who often complain of fatigue around this time of year. Typical symptoms include feeling sleepy during the day despite having had enough sleep at night. When such symptoms occur in the warm spring season, they are commonly suspected to be due to Chun-gon-jeung (spring fatigue). However, if these seasonal symptoms persist for a long time, obstructive sleep apnea should also be considered. In particular, sleep deprivation during adolescence can affect not only academic performance but also growth and development, so special attention is required.

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Chun-gon-jeung is a natural phenomenon that occurs as muscles, which have been contracted due to cold during winter, adapt to changes in the surrounding environment. As metabolism becomes more active and muscle activity increases, sudden drowsiness or fatigue may occur. Usually, symptoms return to normal after about three weeks.

However, if severe drowsiness persists for a long time even after three weeks, it may not be simple Chun-gon-jeung. Especially if a teenage child has had enough sleep at night but still feels very tired during the day or frequently nods off during class, it is necessary to check whether they might have obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea refers to a condition where breathing temporarily stops during sleep due to severe snoring. When this sleep apnea occurs repeatedly, it becomes difficult to get restful sleep. Because the apnea prevents deep sleep, extreme fatigue is felt during the day, leading to inattentiveness and decreased memory and judgment. However, since the child is asleep, they may not be aware of it themselves, so parents and family members need to pay close attention first.

In particular, the quality of sleep is extremely important as it greatly affects adolescents’ academic performance and growth development. If obstructive sleep apnea is left untreated for a long time, excessive activation of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system and hypoxia can gradually lead to cardiovascular diseases. It increases the risk of life-threatening conditions such as myocardial infarction or stroke.

There is also research indicating that obstructive sleep apnea can negatively affect brain development in teenagers. According to medical news sources, a research team led by Raanan Arens at the Montefiore Medical Center Children’s Hospital in New York analyzed brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 98 adolescents and found that those with obstructive sleep apnea had thinner cerebral cortexes (the outer part of the brain) compared to those without the condition. The cerebral cortex is closely related to cognitive development, memory, and information processing. When children experience life stress during childhood, the cerebral cortex tends to be thinner, suggesting that sleep apnea negatively impacts normal brain development and function in children.

Experts advise, “If adolescent sleep apnea is left untreated, the accumulated effects may manifest as serious diseases in adulthood. If a child complains of unusual fatigue, first ensure they get enough rest, and if symptoms persist, carefully observe whether they snore at night and undergo polysomnography for appropriate treatment.”

Treatment for sleep apnea is broadly divided into surgical and non-surgical methods. If surgery is burdensome, it is recommended to start with relatively simple non-surgical treatments such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. The CPAP device helps prevent airway blockage during sleep by applying air pressure, ensuring breathing is not interrupted. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends CPAP as the standard treatment for adults with moderate to severe sleep apnea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.