|
Snoring
and Sleep Apnea in Children
Snoring
is noisy breathing through the mouth or nose during sleep. Everyone
snores once in a while. People snore when they are congested. Even
babies or a beloved pet may snore, (cats generally don't snore as
much as dogs).
There are many medical causes for snoring.
This is one of the reasons you need to discuss your snoring with your
physician. You should especially see your doctor if you have severe
snoring that has just started recently and you haven't gained any weight.
Problems
of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea occur in children as well as
adults.
The
most common cause for snoring, sleep apnea, daytime sleepiness, and
other symptoms, are common conditions in children, is an enlargement
of the tonsils, a large tongue or mass of tissue near the opening of
the nose into the throat. Tonsils (tonsillitis) or adenoids (adenoiditis),
may occur separately or together, usually caused by a virus. Symptoms
are fever, sore throat, and tiredness along with cold symptoms, such
as a cough and a runny nose. Children with chronically inflamed
adenoids may breath through the mouth, snore, and have a nasal or
muffled sounding voice. In children, inflamed adenoids can
block the passageway between the ears and the throat (eustachian tubes),
contributing to ear infections.
|
Location
of tonsils and adenoids
|
1.
Soft palate (adenoid not visible)
2.
Uvula
3.
Tonsil
4.
Tongue |
|
|
Other causes can
include a small jaw, difficulty swallowing, congestion or blockage of the nose
(trouble breathing), may
also contribute to a problem, and more serious problems including
heart failure. It is possible that the sleep impairment in these cases
can lead to a growth hormone deficiency and small build.
Most
sore throats are caused by viruses, and may occur with a cold or may
follow a cold. A mild sore throat may be caused by smoking, air
pollution, yelling, or dry air. People who have allergies or stuffy
noses may breathe through their mouths while sleeping, which can cause
a mild sore throat. Strap throat is a sore throat caused by
streptococcal bacteria. It is more common in children from 2 to 16
years of age.
Ear
infection can occur in the middle ear or the ear canal. A middle ear
infection usually develops during a cold. The common cold is brought
by any one of 199 viruses. The symptoms is a sore throat, red eyes,
runny nose, sneezing, dry cough, headache, and general body ache.
There is a gradual 1-or 2-day onset. As a cold progresses, the nasal
mucus may thicken. The average child has 6 colds a year. In
children, coughing and nasal discharge that last more than 7 to 10
days along with complaints of headache and facial pain are good signs
that the problem is sinusitis, not just a cold. Sinusitis is an
infection or inflammation of the sinuses. The symptom of sinusitis is
pain over the cheekbones and upper teeth; around and behind the eyes
or in the forehead over the eyebrows.
Many
children snore. Between 3% and 12% of children
snore, while obstructive sleep apnea syndrome affects 1% to 10% of
children. Children
with this symptom have difficulty concentrating, focusing and problems
at school.
|
Healthy
normal
airflow
|
1.
Air flow
2.
Soft Palate
3.
Uvula
4.
Tongue Base |
|
Airflow
causing snoring
|
|
1.
Air flow
2.
Soft Palate
3.
Uvula
4.
Tongue Base |
|
MORE
INFORMATION:
Behavioural
and neurocognitive implications of snoring and obstructive sleep
apnoea in children: facts and theory
Obstructive
Sleep Apnea in Children
Periodic
limb movement disorder of sleep in children
Snoring
During Early Childhood and Academic Performance at Ages Thirteen to
Fourteen Years
Snoring
in Portuguese Primary School Children
University
of Louisville
Information:
We do not take
responsibility for any of the content you may find on these sites. If
you have a personal health concern, please consult your qualified health
practitioner.
|
