FM specialists can better diagnose undiagnosed sleep apnea in kids.
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Good News: Family Medicine Specialists Have More Opportunity to Diagnose Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea in Children
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Ramasamy Chidambaram
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Good News: Family Medicine Specialists Have More Opportunity to Diagnose Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea in Children
Year: 2018 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2018.25.5.16
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent and severe condition in children, often overlooked by parents and healthcare professionals. Characterized by multiple breathing interruptions during sleep, OSA mainly results from factors such as adenotonsillar hypertrophy, obesity, and craniofacial abnormalities, particularly in children aged 3 to 6. The negative implications of OSA are significant, impacting cognitive functioning, learning abilities, and emotional stability. Recent statistics in Malaysia indicate that 7% to 9% of children are afflicted by this condition, highlighting the urgent need for improved recognition and diagnosis.
Importance of Family Medicine Specialists in OSA Diagnosis
Family medicine specialists (FMS) play a critical role in identifying and managing OSA in children, yet many struggle to recognize its symptoms due to insufficient awareness. Without proper education and training, physicians may fail to connect symptoms like snoring and daytime sleepiness with OSA. Although various screening tools, such as the Berlin-M questionnaire, have been developed for better diagnosis, there remains a significant gap in the involvement of FMS in the sleep apnea care continuum. It is vital for healthcare professionals to consider risk factors such as obesity and adenotonsillar hypertrophy in their assessments to identify children at a higher risk for OSA.
Conclusion
Enhancing awareness and education about OSA among family medicine specialists is crucial for improving diagnosis and management of the condition in children. Given that a substantial percentage of Malaysian children with OSA go undetected, it is imperative that FMS engage proactively in discussions regarding sleep-related issues that could affect their patients' health. Initiatives that focus on increasing knowledge and understanding of OSA can help bridge the gap in care, ultimately allowing children to achieve healthier and more successful lives. Engaging FMS in the fight against obstructive sleep apnea will lead to better outcomes for affected children.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is obstructive sleep apnea and who is affected by it?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition characterized by breathing interruptions during sleep, commonly affecting children aged 3 to 6. It is often caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy, neuromuscular diseases, or craniofacial abnormalities.
How prevalent is obstructive sleep apnea among Malaysian children?
Recent statistics indicate that 7% to 9% of children in Malaysia have obstructive sleep apnea, with a significant number going undetected due to lack of awareness among parents and healthcare providers.
What role do family medicine specialists play in identifying OSA?
Family medicine specialists (FMS) are often the first point of contact for patients. They can identify OSA through careful observation of symptoms such as snoring, daytime sleepiness, and a history of adenotonsillar hypertrophy or obesity.
How can OSA be diagnosed and managed effectively?
Effective diagnosis of OSA can be achieved using validated screening tools, such as the Berlin-M questionnaire. Training and education for family medicine specialists can also enhance early recognition and referral of undiagnosed cases.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “FM specialists can better diagnose undiagnosed sleep apnea in kids.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Family:
Family refers to the primary social unit that plays a crucial role in the identification and treatment of health issues such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. Parents are often the first to notice symptoms, making their awareness and understanding of health conditions vital for timely medical intervention.
2) Quality:
Quality in this context pertains to the standard of sleep that children experience, which is significantly impacted by conditions like OSA. Poor sleep quality can lead to various cognitive and emotional problems, emphasizing the importance of addressing sleep health to ensure overall well-being in children.
3) Disease:
Disease refers to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a significant health condition affecting children, characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep. Recognizing OSA as a disease is crucial for prompting appropriate screening and treatment interventions to prevent its negative impacts on a child's physical and mental health.
4) Study (Studying):
Study relates to the research and understanding of childhood ailments like OSA, which helps in identifying risk factors and prevalence rates. Various studies contribute to the body of knowledge required for healthcare professionals, particularly family medicine specialists, to better recognize and manage these conditions effectively.
5) Diet:
Diet is an essential factor in the context of childhood obesity, which is a significant risk factor for OSA. Understanding the relationship between a child's diet and their health can inform preventative strategies, emphasizing the need for healthy eating habits to mitigate the risk of sleep-related disorders.
6) Performance:
Performance pertains to children's academic and social functioning, which can be adversely affected by OSA. Sleep disturbances can lead to issues such as learning disabilities and behavioral problems, making it imperative to address sleep health to ensure children can perform optimally in educational and social environments.
7) Observation:
Observation involves the attentive monitoring of a child's symptoms and behaviors related to sleep health, crucial for early identification of OSA. Parents and family medicine specialists play a key role in observing signs like snoring or daytime drowsiness, which can prompt further investigation and management.
8) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the field of healthcare professionals, particularly family medicine specialists, who are integral to diagnosing and managing conditions like OSA in children. Their education and training can significantly influence the awareness and recognition of sleep-related disorders in pediatric patients, improving health outcomes.
9) Training:
Training refers to the education and development of family medicine specialists regarding sleep disorders like OSA. Providing targeted training can enhance their ability to recognize symptoms, apply screening tools, and make appropriate referrals, ultimately leading to better diagnosis and management of pediatric sleep apnea.
10) Learning:
Learning is essential for both healthcare professionals and parents in understanding the impact of sleep health on children. Increasing knowledge about conditions like OSA empowers caregivers to recognize symptoms and seek timely medical attention, which is critical for improving children's health and developmental outcomes.
11) Post:
Post may refer to the aftermath or ongoing discussions surrounding the recognition and treatment of OSA in children. Continuing to address these issues within medical and educational settings is essential for raising awareness, improving detection rates, and ultimately leading to better health outcomes for affected children.
12) Pur:
Poor describes the inadequate awareness or understanding of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea among parents and family medicine specialists. This lack of recognition can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the importance of improving knowledge and education to mitigate the impacts of OSA on children's health.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘FM specialists can better diagnose undiagnosed sleep apnea in kids.’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Dot, Adverse consequences, Public health, Obesity, Educational background, Joint effort, Patient, Emotional instability, Educational course, Paediatric population, Body weight, Oral health care, Bedwetting, Childhood obesity, School Performance, Risk factor, Cognitive disorder, Obstructive sleep apnea, Quality Sleep, Health Concern, Learning Disabilities, Aggressive Behaviour, Health care professional, Public health concern, Body Weight Status, Primary care, General awareness, Accurate diagnosis, Primary school children, Oral Health Care Professionals, Sleep apnea, Family Medicine Specialist, Sleep Questionnaire, Early recognition, Daytime sleepiness, Screening tool, Primary care physician, Neuromuscular disease, Poor school performance, Mouth breathing.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.
Key, Careful observation, Condition, Medical experts, Parent, Task.