Sleep apnea in teens linked to social, behavioral woes

Updated:

HealthMore>>
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
U.S. teen birth rate plummets
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Too few kids use fast-food calorie info
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.
Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.
The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.
In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.
Over the last decade, the number of American children who die each year awaiting an organ donation dropped by more than half, new research reveals. And increasing numbers of children are receiving donor organs.
Americans still making unhealthy choices
Americans still making unhealthy choices
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.
The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.
The monstrous tornado that devastated Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing dozens of adults and children, is a stunning example of violent weather that can affect a child's mental well-being.
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study.
When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study.
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.
Urban elementary school children with poorly controlled asthma are likely to experience sleep problems and suffer academically, new research indicates.

TUESDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- Teenagers with obstructive sleep apnea are at higher risk of behavioral and learning problems, according to a new study.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep because the airway is blocked. Common symptoms include snoring and a loud snort or gasp for breath after a pause in breathing, which can happen up to 30 times an hour.

Researchers from the University of Arizona, in Tucson, found that children with sleep apnea who continue to have the disorder in their teens have more problems with attention, hyperactivity and aggression; more trouble managing their emotions and social situations; and are less able to care for themselves without help.

"If left untreated, [obstructive sleep apnea] negatively impacts a youth's ability to regulate their behaviors, emotions and social interactions," study lead author Michelle Perfect, assistant professor of disability and psychoeducational studies, said in an American Academy of Sleep Medicine news release. "These behaviors can interfere with their ability to care for themselves and engage in socially appropriate behaviors -- skills that are needed to be successful in school."

The study included 263 children, who were followed up with after five years. Rates of social, behavioral and learning problems were double and triple, respectively, among young people with sleep apnea compared to kids without the disorder.

The researchers noted the higher rate of social and behavioral problems among teens with sleep apnea could not be explained by other factors, such as sex, race, ethnicity, body-mass index or age.

Although the study found an association between sleep apnea and behavioral and social problems in teens, researchers did not prove sleep apnea causes those problems.

The study was expected to be presented Tuesday at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies meeting in Boston. Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides more information on sleep apnea.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

Sleep apnea in teens linked to social, behavioral woes - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

Sleep apnea in teens linked to social, behavioral woes

Video Gallery

Surgery for sleep apnea

Breathing problems

More children, teens being diagnosed with skin cancer

Day care debate

Screen time and sleep

Health problems tied to insomnia

Sleepless nights and your health

Are active teens happier teens?

Does sleep affect stroke risk?

HealthMore>>

Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction

Diet soda habit as bad for teeth as meth addiction

U.S. teen birth rate plummets

U.S. teen birth rate plummets

Too few kids use fast-food calorie info

Too few kids use fast-food calorie info

American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress

American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of progress

Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters

Simple steps can protect pets in weather disasters

More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist

More kids getting donor organs, but gaps persist

Americans still making unhealthy choices

Americans still making unhealthy choices

Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health

Weather worries can threaten a child's mental health

Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens

Student suicide may spur similar thoughts in teens

Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma

Sleepless nights may hurt school performance of kids with asthma