Does your child snore? Wake up!
A new study sends a wake-up call to parents of snoring children.
Kids really should not snore. Sure the occasional cold or allergy will cause congestion and that may make for a stuffy nose and hence snoring, but in general it is not a good thing. Research is now discovering that children who snore can have a serious sleep disorder, sleep apnea. Recent research has shown that kids with undiagnosed apnea are at a higher risk for both behavior and learning problems.
Pediatric Neurologist, Eric Saslow, M.D., says, "It may well be that some people who are thought to have ADD or learning disabilities have more importantly a sleep disorder."
Not only do children with undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea have significantly lower scores on IQ, memory and language skills tests, but these data suggest that untreated childhood sleep apnea could permanently alter a developing child's learning potential. So if you are a parent and you notice that your child stops breathing at night when sleeping or even if they snore and stop snoring for brief periods of time and then seem to sputter and gasp, even only 1 time per hour, notify your doctor right away.
Also remember many doctors have not been trained in identifying sleep disorders in kids, so you may need to see a specialist.
Related Topics: 5 Natural Remedies to Stop Snoring, Sleepy Teens: Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep?
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11 Comments:
I'm a sleep technologist and can not seem to make headway with MDs conerning the problem of children snoring and what that snoring is likely indicative of. So many difficulties that these children have as they grow older, snore louder,weightgain,depression,
learning/behavior disorders and becoming labled as "lazy" by teachers could be alleviated if diagnosed and treated early. These days when ever I have a teacher as a patient, I mention my concerns and when she/he leaves in the A.M. I loud the patient down with copies of my collected info. Hope I reach a few people who will tell a few more.
I have a 5 year old that developed strep throat. Before I took him to the doctor I looked on his throat and his tonsil on the right side was so inflammed it was touching his uvula. Now,two weeks after I look in his throat and his tonsil is still very large. will this cause problems now or later oon in life?
I have a 17 month baby, I recently took him to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing. They diagnosed him with strider and croup. I was wondering if this is going to have long lasting effect. I was told this might even leed too asamath. I was wondering if this is true and what might I expect on the long run, and also is this why he snores so loud all night.
I have a 9 year old daughter, she snores something terrible and tosses and turns all night long. A few years ago she had a full T & A and had tubes put in her ears. The specialist said this would fix her snoring and hearing. I think she snores even worse now, and to top things off she was diagnosed with ADHD and has learning disabilities. She doesn't gasp for air while sleeping, but should I still look into this being sleep apnea?
To anonymous above:
Our ADHD expert, Dr. Sogn, thinks that children diagnosed with ADHD who also have sleep problems benefit from having a sleep study.
I have a nine year old boy who snores very loudly every night. From what I have read this may be the cause of his lack of attention during the day, possible a sleep disorder. I looked in his throat this evening and both of his tonsils are so large they are almost touching his uvula. Is this something to take him to see his pediatrician for? Or am I being overly cautious?
I have a 5 year old son who for the last year has been undergoing assessments for ADD. The pediatrician swore that his tonsils, which are the size of large gumballs, are just big because some kids have big tonsils. He was being monitored at school and was recommended for alternate PE because of "lazy" movements and dragging his feet, and what the teachers discribed as muscle fatigue. He has had three lyme tests within the last 9 months and treated with antibiotics each time. The pediatrician still insists that Lyme goes away completely when treated with antibiotic. He started 1st grade this year and has steadily gone downhill. He has had trouble with reading, attention, math, even PE. The teacher describes him as being depressed and lethargic, and as not attentive and easily distracted. The doctor again says he should be on medicine for ADD. He constantly has dark cirlcles under his eyes, and has started having wetting accidents. He seems to be in another world when you talk to him. On a whim, I thought he couldn't hear us and took him to an ENT. He informed me of the sleep apnea, and finally all of the symptoms make sense. He will have surgery on the 12th. It really makes sense to question the pediatrician, and remember they are only "practicing" medicine like any other doctor. They might not have all of the answers and may be too quick to medicate. Trust your own judgement of your child's behavior.
I have a 6yr old daughter. I feel so helpless. She snores in her sleep (very loudly) and she gets about 10-12 hours of sleep at night. I have no problem waking her up in the morning, she is excited to go to school. While in school, which for the past month or so has been everyday, she falls asleep and does things in her sleep like dancing, lauging, and clapping to name a few. The teacher agrees that she is not tired and it is something that just happens. I have been back and forth to doctors which at first we believed she was having seizures because she was doing a jerking but it has progressed to do other things in her sleep now. Someone Please Help.
To anonymous above:
I'm sorry, but your question really goes beyond the scope of what our health professionals can answer online. Here's some information about sleep disorders and tests that might help you. I hope you're able to get to the source of your daughter's snoring and school behavior.
My 17 month old son has been snoring at night and is a very heavy "mouth-breather". He just had a well-visit and the doctor mentioned that his tonsils were way too large. She suspects that a ear, nose, and throat specialist will suggest removing his tonsils. Is this normal for someone so young? Should we just wait it out and postpone surgery?
i am 14 years old and i am about to go to my grandma house but i think i have strep thoat. So does any one know any think that i can do (eat drink etc) that will make me feel goode i am leaving in 3 days please help me!!!!!!!!!
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