Snoring is normal in children aged three and up during deep sleep stages; however, loud and frequent snoring that interferes with their sleep is uncommon.
Here are three common sleep disorders in children:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OSA is a type of sleep apnea that develops when the airway becomes congested or blocked regularly. This results in a person stopping breathing for ten or more seconds during sleep. Snoring is a common OSA symptom. The good news is that there are oral appliances explicitly designed for children that can aid with snoring and OSA.
Parasomnias
A parasomnia is a sleep condition characterized by strange and unpleasant physical events or feelings that keep you awake at night and is a side effect of sleep apnea. A parasomnia can happen before, during, or after waking up from sleep. About half of all children suffer from parasomnias, including sleep talking (somniloquy), sleepwalking (somnambulism), and sleep terrors. These are unpleasant sleep-related episodes that usually occur during sleep-wake transitions, while most children have no remembrance of this occurrence.
Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder
DSPD is a sleep disorder that occurs when the sleep cycle is delayed.
Have you ever observed how a newborn baby’s days and nights might be confused? Their master circadian clock has been turned around and needs to be “reset.” This is something that can happen to older kids as well. The master circadian clock is in charge of sleep cycles and timing. Timed cues such as melatonin (which is naturally produced by the body), light, food, and physical exercise help us reset this clock.
How To Know If Your Child Has Sleep Apnea:
Hard to wake up in the morning: Is it tough for your child to get out of bed in the morning? It’s possible that it’s not only that they don’t want to get dressed and go to school. Sleep apnea in children has a significant impact on their sleep quality and could signify something more serious.
Tired all day with low energy: Everyone gets fatigued at times during the day; however, if it is excessive for your child and appears to be regularly occurring, these symptoms should be noted.
Hyperactivity: A hyperactive child who has difficulties paying attention could be suffering from sleep apnea, which may seem illogical. Because it can significantly impact a child’s academic performance, it could potentially be misdiagnosed as a learning disability or a type of ADHD.
Children who snore or develop sleep apnea are more likely to have the following risk factors:
Obesity: Snoring is more common in overweight children than in non-overweight youngsters. Weight increase can narrow the airways, therefore decreasing weight can usually help with snoring.
Asthma: Asthmatic children’s breathing can already be restricted, which can result in snoring.
Allergies, congestion, and flu-like symptoms are all common symptoms. An obstruction can cause snoring in an otherwise open airway due to congestion. Dealing with a child’s allergy or sinus problems can sometimes assist in minimizing snoring.
Tonsils: Large or enlarged tonsils are the most common cause of sleep apnea in children.
Find Sleep Apnea Relief in Washington
Dr. Buck is a facial orthopedist based in the state of Washington. Through teamwork and combining their expertise, Dr. Buck and his fellow ENT physicians and pulmonologists help their patients find relief from sleep apnea. With Dr. Buck and his team, you can find relief from the severity and alleviate symptoms from sleep breathing issues. For more information on Dr. Buck’s practice and the treatment options he provides, please schedule an appointment by giving us a call today at 425-361-7499. Additionally, one may contact us by filling out our online form.
