Children, like adults, can snore while they sleep. If your child snores occasionally or very lightly, then it probably is nothing to worry about. However, if your child’s snoring is heavy and seems to be affecting their quality of sleep, it may be time to see a doctor.
Common Causes of Snoring in Children
Children can snore for many reasons, including:
- Congestion
- Allergies
- Asthma
- A deviated septum
- Poor air quality
- Large or swollen tonsils and adenoids
- Obstructive sleep apnea
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
One of the more serious causes of snoring in children is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It occurs when the throat muscles relax and droop during sleep, blocking the airway and causing breathing difficulty.
If your child has OSA, it can cause major sleep disturbances and affect the amount of oxygen they get during sleep. Children who have it wake up multiple times throughout the night because of pauses in breathing, though they may not be aware they are waking up.
How Do I Know My Child’s Snoring is Caused by Sleep Apnea?
If your child snores heavily three or more nights out of the week or wakes up gasping or choking, these could be signs of sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing. However, because you likely aren’t watching your child sleep during the night, it may be easier to look for daytime behaviors that indicate their snoring is interfering with their health.
Take note if your child is:
- Acting irritable or cranky
- Having excessive daytime sleepiness
- Daydreaming or zoning out frequently
- Having trouble waking up in the morning, even if it seems they got plenty of sleep
- Struggling to focus or pay attention in class at West Jordan Elementary
- Complaining of morning headaches
Treatments for Sleep Apnea in Children
Treatment for sleep apnea in children largely depends on the cause. Though neuromuscular disorders and abnormalities in the skull or face can cause OSA in some children, the most common cause is enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
Because of this an adenotonsillectomy, or surgically removing the tonsils and adenoids, is the most common treatment option.
Studies have shown that most children with OSA can be treated successfully with adenotonsillectomy. However, some children are at risk for postoperative complications including:
- Bleeding
- Airway problems
- Infections
- Reactions to anesthesia.
Your child’s doctor will evaluate their individual situation and risk factors to determine if surgery is the right answer or if other treatments may work better. This may include using positive airway pressure devices like CPAP or BiPAP or working to improve your child’s sleep hygiene.
If you would like additional information or wish to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, call South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan today.