The experience I have with a snoring child is not a pleasant one. One of the babies I used to be close to has been battling a heart condition and I think he snores loud as a result of that. The mother has to go in and out of hospitals consistently to make sure he is fine.
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.A few days ago, I noticed my baby was snoring in his sleep, and my heart raced very fast remembering the episodes of hospitals we had to deal with the other child. I currently do not have the financial or mental ability to go through such episodes. A child must sleep from time to time, it is important for their development. Snoring, on the other hand, is the harsh sound produced during sleep.
The absence of good sleep in a child affects the development of the child. Such children are always seen to be hyperactive, struggle to concentrate in school, have behavioral problems, and act irritable.
It is caused by an obstruction to the smooth flow of air through the passages of the nose and pharynx when the collapsible soft tissue structures in areas like the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and pharyngeal walls strike each other and vibrate while sleeping when the harsh sound known as snoring comes in.
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Snoring is not the same in all children. How frequent and severe the snoring is varies significantly amongst children. In most cases, snoring in children is a minor and short-lived episode, adding no stress to the health of the child.
However, when it gets to the point where snoring becomes persistent and disturbs sleep, over and over again, then it is usually an indication of a sleep disorder.
A child may experience a restricted airway for several reasons, it could be due to asthma, the presence of allergies, enlarged tonsils, enlarged adenoids, obesity, poor muscle tone, and other medical conditions like diseases of the heart and lungs.
Obesity: Through studies, we have found that children who are obese tend to snore. Obesity could make the airway more narrow, and raise the risk of snoring during sleep and even a case like obstructive sleep apnea.
Congestion: Experienced cold-like symptoms can restrict the smooth flow of air, with infection inflaming the tonsils and adenoids.
Allergies: Picked-up allergies could create an inflammation of the throat and nose, creating partial blockage in the airway therefore leading to snoring.
Anatomic characteristics: Some people's anatomic characteristics make breathing difficult for some people during sleep. A good example is having the nostrils not been equally separated therefore making breathing while sleeping more difficult.
Asthma: may also affect breathing, and if partial blockage of the airway happens, snoring follows suit.
Tobacco environmental smoke: Exposure to tobacco smoke from a contaminated environment increases the chances of snoring in a child.
Shorter breastfeeding situation: Through research, it has been found that children who were breastfed for a shorter period snored more.
The exact reason for this is unknown, but it is believed that probably the br milk has some components that help with the development of the upper airways.
A consistent snoring experience is what is considered dangerous and one of the most common concerns is, obstructive sleep apnea. It causes a major sleep disturbance and affects the amount of oxygen received by the child while sleeping.
The presence of OSA has been connected to, reduced academic performance, cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, altered metabolism and behavioral conditions, and also reduced academic performance.
Even if the impact of OSA has been studied more amongst older children, researchers believe it can affect even younger children.
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The best way to get answers to the worries in your heart is by speaking to a pediatrician, who will guide you on the next move to make. Other signs that accompany snoring that are not usual include Bed wetting after being potty trained.
Difficulty concentrating.
Snoring for three nights within one week.
Morning headaches.
Daytime sleepy feeling.
Below average weight.
When a clear diagnosis is carried out, it becomes possible the right route to decrease the chances of snoring in a child.
Surgery may have to be carried out to take out the tonsils and adenoids if that's the case. It is mostly considered for children who have serious sleep apnea, but it may also be an option for some primary snoring cases.
A device known as PAP, positive airway pressure, this device functions by pressurizing air through a mask into the mouth and airway to prevent obstruction.
Building a healthy sleep hygiene pattern for your child is important and can help reduce snoring habits. Ensuring their room is well-ventilated, limiting screen time before bed, and putting off the light.
Conclusion.
If your child is snoring a lot, it is best to speak with a doctor immediately because the earlier the diagnosis and treatment are, the better the chances of a reduced health factor.
For Further Studies.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138994572100335X
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/snoring/snoring-children
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7905134/
https://www.bangkokinternationalhospital.com/health-articles/disease-treatment/snoring-in-children
https://www.rush.edu/news/snoring-kids
https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/does-your-child-snore
Hi, I am Tobi, a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people.
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