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Snoring Children: Tips |
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When little Janie or Johnny first begins to snore, it's natural for parents to see it as another cute childhood habit. In reality, snoring children can be showing signs of a serious underlying problem.
When children snore, it can be an indication of OSA, or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This condition can pose a serious problem in up to three percent of normal, healthy preschoolers. Most often, snoring in children under the age of six years old is caused by problems related to the tonsils and adenoids. For these kids, it's not the size of the child or the tonsils that creates the snoring; it's the muscle tone that makes the difference. Children who have muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, craniofacial anomalies or Down syndrome are at higher risk for developing OSA.
Snoring in children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea is an indication that they are having trouble breathing while sleeping. These kids tend to be sleep restlessly. Their parents or caregivers often notice this behavior, often moving or waking them to make sure everything is OK, but will forget to mention the problem to the doctor. While awake, these children are able to breathe fully, without any hindrance, although they are usually mouth-breathers.
If you've noticed this sleeping behavior in your child, you must seek medical attention. Once the doctor has been alerted to the problem, a quick study of family history will often show that someone in the immediate family is also prone to snoring.
Treatment Options for Snoring Children
The first step in finding a suitable treatment is a sleep study. The physician will usually request a polysomnography. This test is painless and performed overnight, at the hospital, and is useful in diagnosing a variety of sleep disorders. During a polysomnography a variety of data will be recorded, including eye movements, muscle strength, heartbeat, brainwaves, ease of breathing and respiratory ability. The results for children will present differently than those for adults, as children naturally have different sleeping patterns than adults.
Once the test has been completed, the doctor may suggest surgery to remove both the tonsils and the adenoids. This will help to open the airway, essentially ending the OSA and the snoring. It will take six to eight weeks before healing is complete, and the positive results of the surgery are evident. It is recommended that the child receive no other treatments during this time of healing.
On the other hand, some kids just snore. If your child does not show signs of having Obstructive Sleep Apnea, then it's not necessary to have the surgery.
Never rush into surgery; even a minor operation is a trauma to the body and can be especially traumatic for young children. However, if your doctor indicates that OSA is present and suggests the surgery, by all means, go ahead. The procedure will help to calm the snoring and increase the amount of oxygen your child receives while sleeping. Obviously, these are both essential to the overall wellness of your child.
All parents want to provide the basic needs for their children. This includes ensuring that the child is getting enough of the right kind of sleep. See a pediatrician if you suspect that your child is suffering with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Find the treatment option that is best for your child, and provide the sweet dreams that he or she needs and deserves.
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