Q: Our 5-year-old snores and sleeps restlessly, then is tired during the day. What's going on, and how can we help?

A: Your child may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which the upper airway passages are blocked during the night, often by enlarged tonsils or adenoids (glands in the throat just behind the nose) that block the flow of air. While many children snore at night, those with OSA sleep restlessly and are chronically fatigued because they wake up during the night to fight for air. Have your child examined by your pediatrician or an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist, and help your doctor make a diagnosis by videotaping your little one's restless sleep pattern. If his apnea is caused by enlarged adenoids or tonsils, they may need to be removed surgically. Another culprit is obesity. In addition, allergies may also exacerbate apnea. You can try removing possible allergens such as stuffed toys, pets and feather pillows from your child's bedroom, and use a HEPA-type filter in the room.

William Sears, MD, one of the nation's leading experts on child health and development, is a father of eight and the author of more than 30 books on parenting, family health and nutrition.