Take Children Snoring Seriously
Medical studies have shown that snoring in adults may be linked to an increased risk for hypertension, heart attack, and stroke – and now it appears that cases of children snoring are no less a cause for concern.
Why Children Snore
In many cases of children snoring, the vibration of air within their upper respiratory systems, which is what causes a snoring sound during sleep, is down to an anatomical fault.
Children with enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or smaller-than-usual windpipes are likelier to have their nasal passages constricted during sleep.
This explains why children with obesity are at an increased risk for snoring, as they will have increased pressure on their throat and respiratory system muscles, especially when lying down.
Children with sleep apnea are also likely to snore. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the windpipe or parts of the nasal passageways become so constricted at times throughout the night that a child will have to wake him/herself up in order to breathe.
Why Children Snoring Is a Matter of Concern
Children with sleep apnea will therefore not only snore but suffer what is called “unrefreshing” sleep each night, as the process of waking up hundreds of times per night will not provide them with enough deep, restful sleep.
For this reason, children with sleep apnea have been seen to display symptoms similar to ADD/ADHD or learning impairment. Because symptoms of sleep apnea can be so similar to those of ADD/ADHD, it can go undiagnosed.
In case of children snoring who have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea, snoring is still a serious matter. Snoring is, plain and simple, a sign that breathing is constricted during sleep.
Even if a child is not waking up throughout the night in order to get air, s/he is probably getting less oxygen than if s/he were sleeping soundly without nasal passageway constriction.
What You Can Do To Stop Children Snoring
There many different options when it comes to treating snoring. Certain throat, jaw, and tongue exercises can build up muscles in the neck, and there are even surgical procedures than can permanently correct anatomical issues.
In any case, it makes sense to take cases of children snoring seriously, for the sake of your children’s health.
