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Looking For The Best Baby Sleep Apnea Monitors
from: Maxx Family LifeEveryone experiences pauses in breathing on occassion. This doesn't just happen to adults, but to babies as well. This breathing pattern is called apnea. Although completely normal for some, it may also be related to a health condition that should be a cause for concern, especially if it should happen to your baby. Being in this kind of predicament, you may want to get the help of a baby sleep apnea monitor.
The Different Types of Apneas
The word apnea has its origin from a Greek word which means "without wind." It's the medical term used to describe the occasional cessation of breathing of a person. Even though it's normal, it may also be a symptom of a more serious health related problem.
There are three types of apnea: obstructive, central and mixed. Obstructive apnea is most common in babies and children and is caused by obstructions in the airway such as adenoids and enlarged tonsils. This can be ver dangerous, especially for babies, since it usually happens when they're sleeping. Babies, of course, can’t articulate whether they're experiencing symptoms of this condition.
Symptoms of this type of apnea include snoring, labored breathing, gasping for air, and changes in color. But the cardinal sign of obstructive apnea in babies is restlessness.
Another type of apnea is central apnea. This is usually caused by a defect in the part of the brain that controls breathing. In babies, this could be a congenital defect. Central apnea is very rare in adults but quite common in babies, especially those who were born prematurely. Unlike obstructive apnea, this can happen at any time of the day.
The third type of apnea is mixed apnea. This condition is the combination of obstructive apnea and central apnea. This is particularly common in infants and can occur any time, whether awake or asleep.
What To Do If You Think Your Baby Has Apnea
When your baby is born, he or she is automatically evaluated for any problems in health, such as defects in breathing. But this is just an initial evaluation which can change within a few months. The first step is to have your baby checked by his or her doctor. If apnea is detected, the doctor can suggest different ways to help you monitor your baby, including the use of a baby sleep apnea monitor.
What to Look for In Baby Sleep Apnea Monitors
There are a lot of different baby sleep apnea monitors available, each with different features. In choosing a baby sleep apnea monitor, there are certain features the device must have to ensure proper monitoring of your baby.
Heart Beat Monitor
This feature is a must for the device you choose, since no apnea monitor is 100% accurate in detecting cessation of breathing. This will serve as a backup in case the apnea monitor fails to detect apnea because it will also manifest in the heart rate of the baby.
Another important feature is a remote alarm. Even if you're not in the same room with the baby, a remote monitor will notify you if anything goes wrong. It must also have a power loss alarm. This is used when the devices are low in power. Finally, the device must also be equipped with AC power for recharging and powering the device.
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