Sometimes when we sleep, our breathing gets a little harder, and it wakes us up for a moment. This is called a Respiratory Effort-Related Arousal, and it can make us feel tired even after a full night's sleep because it keeps interrupting our rest.
Respiratory effort-related arousals (RERAs) are subtle sleep disruptions caused by increased breathing effort, often without significant oxygen desaturation. They are a key indicator of upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) and can lead to fragmented sleep and daytime sleepiness, despite not meeting the criteria for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Pediatric sleep apnea is a serious condition where a child's breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, leading to potential developmental and health issues. It's crucial to recognize symptoms early, such as snoring, restless sleep, and daytime fatigue, to seek appropriate treatment and prevent long-term complications.