Does your child snore?
Have you become aware that your child is snoring? If so, then paying attention to this issue is advisable. While your child snoring is not necessarily a cause for alarm, it is a condition that should be monitored closely. In many cases, children snoring can be a symptom of an underlying, more serious health problem.
What Childhood Snoring May Indicate
Your child’s snoring may very well be caused by sleep-disordered breathing/obstructed sleep apnea (SDB/OSA). According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB ) is characterized by disrupted ventilation and respiratory patterns during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common causes of this issue in children.
Unfortunately, evidence suggests that OSA, when left untreated, is associated with a variety of concerning health and behavioral issues. One of these is attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD). If your child has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, he/she may also suffer from OSA. Another potential problem is dry mouth, which can occur as a result of the stopping and restarting of breathing that accompanies OSA. Dry mouth can lead to dental health conditions later for your child.
Other Signs Your Child May Have SDB/OSA
An attention deficit problem or dry mouth is not the only sign that your little one may have SDB/OSA. If your child stops breathing while sleeping or regularly exhibits a restless sleep pattern, obstructive sleep apnea could be the reason.
Another sign to look out for is sweating during sleep. If your child has OSA, his/her body is literally fighting for oxygen at various points throughout the night. This passive exertion can cause the body to go into fight-or-flight mode, resulting in excessive sweat as your child sleeps.
Even wetting the bed may be a sign of this sleep disorder. A child with obstructive sleep apnea might wet the bed due to an elevated heart rate. If blood pressure rises because of sleep apnea, the body may attempt to eliminate fluid to combat the problem.
Another sign your child suffers from OSA is if a doctor has recommended removing your child’s tonsils and/or adenoids. Though the tonsils and/or adenoids may bother your child, there is possibly an underlying issue causing their difficulties.
