Submitted by Koala KIDZzz®
Snoring may seem harmless; however, consistent snoring can be both a warning signal and cause negative effects in your child. We can help you understand if snoring is putting your child at risk by explaining its causes as well as some of its effects.
What causes snoring?
We have all heard someone we know snore while they sleep. Sometimes, it simply sounds like they are breathing a little heavy, while at other times the noise sounds like they are operating heavy machinery. For both of these extremes and every case in between, snoring is a result of an obstruction in the airways of the nose or the mouth.
However, there is not a singular factor that causes these blockages in the airways. There are a few factors that can work alone or together to cause the blockage that creates snoring:
- Obstructed nasal airways
- Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue
- Bulky throat tissue
- Long soft palate and uvula
Your child may also be a habitual snorer because of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), a condition that reveals itself through a variety of different symptoms depending on the child. Snoring is one of the symptoms, but many significant, seemingly unrelated problems (bed-wetting, behavioral problems, etc.) can stem from the condition.
Should I be nervous if my child snores?
An important point to make is that occasional snoring is not a problem. If you notice that your child is snoring one night, you should not assume that they are dealing with a dangerous health problem or that they are at risk. Simply pay attention to see if the snoring is consistent or a one-time fluke.
For instance, one of the most common culprits of snoring is nasal congestion. So, let’s say that your child is fighting a head cold or dealing with allergies. They will be much more likely to snore when they sleep, but that snoring is not dangerous and does not put your child at risk for other repercussions.
However, if you notice that your child is consistently or habitually snoring, then you should begin paying close attention and monitoring the situation carefully. Failing to notice or take action could lead to negative consequences. Here are a few common side effects associated with habitual snoring, particularly in children.
Behavioral issues
As the University of Michigan Health Lab points out, snoring can disrupt your child’s sleep, causing them to behave in less-than-ideal ways. For instance, if you notice that your child has been habitually snoring and is having a hard time focusing at school, then you should consult with or visit one of our sleep centers.
Focus is not the only behavioral problem that can stem from your child’s habitual snoring. Hyperactive and disruptive behavior often occur. Additionally, if you notice that your child is both habitually snoring and participating in bullying behaviors, there may be a connection between the two. As a parent, it is important that you don’t view these behavioral issues as separate or unrelated from snoring.
Sleep apnea
While it is a much rarer, more extreme repercussion of habitual snoring, sleep apnea does have the potential to negatively impact your child. WebMD shares some alarming potential effects that can come with sleep apnea:
- Interruptions of breathing
- Frequent waking up
- Poor night’s sleep
- Hypertension
How can Koala Center for Sleep Disorders help?
Habitual snoring can put your child at risk, as well as serve as a symptom of another problem. Thus, if you notice that your child is consistently or habitually snoring when they sleep, you should take action.
Koala KIDZzz® is a department within our Koala Center for Sleep & TMJ Disorders. At Koala KidZzz®, we care about your child’s long term health, comfort, and quality of sleep. Our comprehensive solutions involve treatments that involve neither surgery nor prescriptions. We want to ensure that your child not only improves their sleeping and the negative effects stemming from that, but also help with other developmental issues:
- Promote correct oral habits
- Allow for proper facial and airway development
- Help straighten teeth, eliminating the need for braces
If you notice that your child is a habitual snorer, it is important that you take this issue seriously and respond by scheduling an appointment with our Peoria location. Just like you, our qualified team feels passionately about your child’s long-term sleep quality, comfort, and overall health.
To learn more about Koala KIDZzz® Pediatric Airway Development or to set up an appointment at the Koala Center for Sleep & TMJ Disorders, visit their website at koalakidzzz.com; visit them at 11825 N. State Rt. 40, Suite 100, Dunlap, or call at 309-240-6700. Please mention this article when scheduling.
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