If you snore regularly and often wake up feeling more exhausted than when you went to bed the night before, you might worry that you’ve developed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to the National Sleep Foundation, this common disorder impacts an estimated 30 million adults in the United States, which represents about 10% of the population.
However, if you have a child at home who also struggles to breathe at night, it’s natural to wonder whether they might have the same condition. Continue reading to learn more about how OSA impacts kids and how you can help!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Did you know that the average person completes between four and six repetitions of a multi-staged sleep cycle every night? Each stage is associated with different benefits, like cell regeneration, emotional processing, and memory consolidation.
People with OSA experience multiple episodes of interrupted breathing at night that prevent them from successfully completing the cycles necessary to maintain their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Can Children Have Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is more common in adults who are between 40 and 60 years old and the chances of developing it continue to increase with age. As a result, many parents and guardians wonder whether it’s even possible for children to develop it. Unfortunately, this condition is known to affect people of any age or gender, though it can look different in kids.
Instead of expressing weariness, your little one might show other signs that they’re not getting enough quality rest, especially if they’re still too small to tell you what’s bothering them. For instance, they might struggle to wake up in the morning, have trouble paying attention, be hyperactive, or fall asleep at inappropriate times during the day. Snoring, bedwetting, sleepwalking, and night terrors might also point to a nighttime breathing problem.
How Can I Address My Child’s Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea in youths is usually the result of overly large tonsils or adenoids that block their airways when they lie down horizontally to rest. However, obesity may also be a contributing factor. If left untreated, kids can develop growth delays, cognitive issues, and heart problems.
Mild cases might be manageable with lifestyle changes, like medications or oral appliances to help keep their airways open at night. However, some children require surgery to remove the excessive tissues that are getting in the way.
If you’re unsure whether your kid suffers from sleep apnea, you can schedule a consultation with a qualified sleep dentist to find out!
About the Practice
Patients at SleepMed Solutions in Greensboro benefit from two skilled dentists who collaborate to provide a wide range of sleep apnea solutions to benefit your oral and overall health. Dr. Jack Bagley is a Physician Assistant with medical expertise, and his brother, Dr. Thomas Bagley, is a sleep apnea dentist who is also a Diplomate with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. Together, they can identify and treat sleep disorders to improve your family’s daily quality of life. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (336) 907-7773.