Snoring is a common problem that affects both adults and children. In children, it can be a sign of a number of different health problems, including sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, and other respiratory issues. In addition, it can also be a sign of emotional or behavioral disorders. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms of snoring in children, the causes, and the treatment options available.
Snoring in Children
A lot of children snore at some point in their lives, especially during colds or when their allergies are acting up. Sometimes it is a problem that requires treatment, but it is often a passing phase. How do parents know if there is a problem with snoring? The answer can be found in what happens when a child isn’t sleeping.
Poor quality of sleep caused by snoring can lead to behavioral issues during the daytime. These daytime symptoms may be the first signs that a child is sleeping poorly. The majority of parents don’t correlate them with problematic sleep.
When You Should Be Considerate About Snoring
Your child’s body rests when they sleep, as it restores its energy level and impacts both physical and mental well-being.
Loud snoring can be a medical concern when it is associated with abnormal breathing and interrupted sleep.
It is possible that your child is not getting enough sleep because of SBD.
- Obesity
- Behavioral problems
- Learning difficulties/poor school performance
- Growth retardation
- Hyperactivity or feeling tired during the day
- High blood pressure
Children with SDB tend to snore and exhibit repeated episodes of breathing difficulties during sleep. It is possible for parents to witness gasping or snorting, restless sleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, teeth grinding, bed wetting, and unusual sleep positions.
What Is the Cause of Snoring
Air cannot flow freely through the airway at the back of the throat, which causes snoring. When a person inhales or exhales, tissue around the airway vibrates, creating an audible noise. There are multiple factors that can cause someone to snore.
The most common risk factors for snoring in children are the following:
- Large or swollen tonsils and adenoids:
The body’s immune system is made up of the tonsils and adenoids, which are found near the back of the throat. The tonsils and adenoids can block the airway and cause snoring if they are swollen or naturally larger. This is the most common reason for sleep-disordered breathing in children. - Obesity:
Children that are overweight are more likely to snore, according to studies. Obese people are more likely to be at risk for sleep disorders including sleep apnea. - Congestion: Cold-like symptoms can cause congestion that blocks the air’s flow, and infections can cause inflammation of the tonsils and adenoids.
- Allergies: Flare-ups of allergies can cause inflammation in the nose and throat, which can make it harder to breathe, and can increase the risk of snoring.
- Asthma:
Asthma can cause partial obstruction of the airway, which can cause snoring, similar to allergies. - Anatomic characteristics:
Some people have anatomic characteristics that make it difficult for them to breathe while sleeping. If the nostrils are not separated equally, a deviated septum may cause snoring. - Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS):
Exposure to secondhand smoke can affect breathing and has been shown to correlate with a higher risk of snoring in children. - Contaminated air:
A child’s chances of frequent snoring can be influenced by low air quality and excess contaminants. - Shorter duration of breastfeeding:
There is an association between snoring in children and reduced duration of breastfeeding. It’s not known what the exact reason is its possible that breastfeeding helps the upper airway develop in a way that reduces the chance of snoring.
Snoring is a risk factor for children with sleep disorders. It is normal for children with sleep disorders to snore, with gasp-like pauses in breath. While most children with OSA snore, not all children who snore have OSA.
Snoring Signs That Are Dangerous for Children's Health
If a child snores more than three nights a week and exhibits at least one of the following signs, it is time to speak with a pediatrician.
- They must be wired if they are tired. Even when they are tired, children are busy.
- They could be cranky, aggressive or irritable.
- If they daydream frequently throughout the day.
- If they are sleepy in the day.
- They can’t wake up in the morning even when they have a lot of time to sleep.
- The problem suddenly reappears if they frequently wet the bed past age 9 or if they have not been wet the bed.
- They may have a hard time paying attention in school. As they notice a drop in grades or productivity, teachers are the first to raise red flags.
If you decide it is time to see a doctor, you should be prepared to report any behaviors you observe. Even if your child does not fit these markers, it is important to trust your judgment. Don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s doctor if you are worried about their snoring or behavioral issues.
Ways to Reduce Snoring
If your child is not sleeping well, and facing the problem of snoring you should talk to your doctor to see if a sleep study or ENT referral is necessary. If your child is referred to an Otolaryngologist by your doctor, the specialist will evaluate the structures of your child’s airway for abnormality. Depending on the severity of snoring, your child may need a sleep study to find out if they have sleep apnea.
The degree of obstruction will be determined by the sleep study. Your doctor may suggest removing the tonsils and adenoids if the study shows that you have enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Sleep obstruction can be improved with this surgical procedure.
A treatment option for OSA is a non-surgical intervention with positive pressure ventilation. It’s a risk factor for sleep obstruction if you’re overweight. Overweight or obese children can benefit from weight loss and other therapies. Children’s sleep is affected by outdoor and indoor allergies, as well as nose congestion and mouth breathing. If your child has an allergy, make sure they get proper medication and see an allergist.
FAQ
Snoring in children can be caused by adenoids, enlarged tonsils, or nasal obstruction. Adenoids are benign (noncancerous) growths that develop in the back of the throat. They cause breathing problems because they block the airway. Tonsils are lymphoid tissue located at the back of the throat. The tonsils help to fight infections in the throat.
Most children snore at least once a week.
Most kids snore for one to two hours per night.
If your child is still young, you may be able to stop their snoring by changing their sleeping position. Try to get your child to sleep on their side, not on their stomach. Also, try to make sure that they don’t sleep with their mouth open.
Conclusion
Snoring is a common problem that affects both adults and children. It is caused by the narrowing of the airway during sleep, which allows the tongue to fall back and block the airway. The narrowing of the airway is usually caused by a combination of factors, including the position of the tongue, enlarged tonsils, and other anatomical factors. If you notice any of the signs in your child do visit an expert for the best way to treat the issue.
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