It’s a common misconception that sleep apnea only affects adults. Children, too, can suffer from the inability to breathe throughout the night – a problem that can significantly inhibit their quality of life. Chronic fatigue, moodiness, and a struggle to focus can be problematic at school and home if symptoms are left untreated. Fortunately, as a parent, there are things you can do to help your child get the uninterrupted sleep they need. Read on to learn what signs to look for and what kind of treatment is available for your son or daughter.
What Sleep Apnea Symptoms Do Children Exhibit?
Researchers have spent much time studying how sleep apnea affects children, and it’s believed that between 7-11% have a sleep breathing disorder (i.e., snoring, sleep apnea, etc.). Most of these cases remain undiagnosed, as many parents do not know what to look for. The symptoms that occur among children can differ slightly from those experienced by adults, but if you notice any of the following, make sure to call a trusted sleep dentist in the area:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Daily fatigue
- Inability to focus – struggling at school
- Mouth breathing
- Paused breathing
- Coughing during sleep
- Bedwetting
- Sleep terrors
- Difficulty waking up in the morning
What Problems Can Form If Sleep Apnea Remains Untreated?
Children who do not receive professional help for their sleep breathing disorder can suffer physically, mentally, emotionally, and behaviorally. Lack of proper rest can cause serious problems that are evident inside the home and classroom, as well as throughout the body.
A child who continues to experience paused breathing and interrupted sleep may have growth and cognitive delays, heart issues, and develop hyperactivity. This last problem is often misdiagnosed by many doctors as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Getting them the necessary help can alleviate these issues, allowing them to do better in school, maintain healthy relationships with friends, exhibit self-control, and get much-needed rest to function.
What Treatment Options Are Available?
Before appropriate treatment can be administered, your child will need to have a sleep study performed. This will monitor their heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing patterns, and if they experience pauses throughout the night.
Once a doctor analyzes the data and provides a formal diagnosis, your child’s dentist can go over the different treatment options, some of which include:
- Lifestyle Changes. If your child is sedentary much of the day, they’ll need to incorporate physical activity and adopt a healthy diet to prevent childhood obesity – a risk factor that can increase the chances of sleep apnea.
- Nasal Congestion Medication. If your child suffers from nasal congestion and it’s causing them to breathe through their mouth, steroids or other medications can help reduce inflammation and relieve the pressure within their nasal airway.
- Surgery. Enlarged adenoids and tonsils can be culprits for sleep apnea. If your child appears to have either or both, surgery might be the most beneficial way to improve their quality of rest.
- CPAP Therapy. If your child has severe sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy may be necessary to keep their airway open, so an obstruction doesn’t occur. Your child will wear a mask that connects to a machine that pumps air, ensuring everything remains open during sleep.
- Oral Appliance. If CPAP therapy proves too difficult or uncomfortable, your child can receive a custom oral appliance to wear while they’re asleep. By moving the jaw forward slightly, it holds the airway open and keeps soft oral tissues from falling and blocking free-flowing air.
Getting your child treatment for their sleep apnea is one of the best steps you can take to ensure their oral and overall health. With many treatment options available to help them get the rest they need, you’ll notice a positive difference that extends beyond the walls of your home.
About Grand Dental – Franklin Park
At Grand Dental – Franklin Park, we don’t just treat issues related to a person’s teeth and gums. Our experienced dentists also provide specialty care in the form of sleep apnea treatment. With customized oral appliances and trustworthy professionals to explain the reason for interrupted sleep, your child can start breathing better at night and avoid the harmful effects of chronic fatigue. Is your child waking up tired, moody, or having trouble focusing at school? Visit our website or call (847) 860-7093 to find out what our team can do to help.