While most children snore periodically throughout life, it is usually short-lived. However, some youth have more of a long-term condition that can cause an unhealthy disruption in sleep patterns and lead to medical problems down the line.
What Is Abnormal?
Snoring can occur when a child has the common cold, an upper respiratory illness, allergy flare-ups, swollen tonsils or adenoids or if they have other medical conditions that alter the nose and skull structure.
Sherry Chaney, from Eudora, says her teenage son has snored every night since he was 7. “He has to take allergy medicine every day,” says Sherry. And she will get him tested for sleep apnea at some point, because his father sleeps with a machine.
“Loud snoring that lasts for months or years is abnormal and signals a sleep problem that could affect a child’s behavior during the day,” reports the American Academy of Pediatrics. Restlessness, difficulty focusing and, in severe cases, depression and hyperactivity can develop. Even school performance can be affected by interrupted sleep patterns caused by sleep apnea.
Apnea:
It is normal for everyone to have brief pauses in breathing while sleeping; but when the pauses become often and prolonged, the body doesn’t get enough oxygen, and sleep cycles are interrupted.
According to Nemours Foundation, “If not treated, sleep apnea can lead to a variety of problems. These include heart, behavior, learning and growth problems.” Nemours also says that 2 percent of children have sleep apnea and many of those are undiagnosed.
Symptoms of sleep apnea: (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011)
- Frequent snoring
- Problems breathing during the night
- Sleepiness during the day
- Difficulty paying attention
- Behavior problems
Treatment:
If your child is experiencing chronic snoring, waking in the middle of the night gasping for air, or doesn’t seem to be rested after a full night’s sleep, have him checked out by his primary health care provider.
Doctors can perform a complete evaluation and diagnosis, and most apnea cases can be treated by medications, monitoring devices, sleep centers and, always as a last resort, surgery. The best thing to do is NOT ignore the “sawing of logs” and hope it goes away. It might for some, but lack of oxygenation for children is not good—so bring it up with your doctor.
Stacey Hatton is a former pediatric RN, mom of two and humorist. Her best-selling book I Just Want to Pee Alone is for sale on her blog at http://NurseMommyLaughs.com.