Children can Suffer from Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disorder

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Children Suffering with Sleep Apnea and SLeep Disorder Breathing

SDB results in a lack of airflow and oxygen while we sleep. This puts a stress on our body, and disrupts our brain from getting the benefits of uninterrupted sleep. SDB in children can result in delayed growth, chronic allergies, poor performance in school, and other medical issues. With nearly 40 million children affected, SDB in children is truly an epidemic.

An obstructed airway prevents the normal flow of oxygen to our lungs. As we work harder to get air in, the tissues in our airway start to vibrate, resulting in a snore. It is estimated that up to 27% of children are habitual snorers. When a child cannot breathe through their nose, they resort to mouth breathing. The downside is that mouth breathing gives us poorer quality air, and can actually make it harder to breathe.

Swollen Tonsils & Adenoids

An narrowing of the airway in children is usually due to a lack of space. The tonsils and adenoids, especially when inflamed, can be the main culprit in blocking the airway and nose. And to make matters worse, if a child breathes through their mouth, they take in poor quality air. The tonsils then have to filter the air, making them even more inflamed. The good news…many of the problems with SDB can be improved when the tonsils and adenoids are removed!

ADD/ADHD

If a child seems to be exhibiting “typical” ADD/ADHD behaviors (hyperactivity, inattention, etc.), the first thing parents and doctors should be looking for is sleep disordered breathing. It is well established that SDB is associated with neurobehavioral problems like ADHD. Researchers think that disrupted sleep and the lack of oxygen chemically changes part of the pre-frontal cortex. This part of our brain is responsible for behavior, decision-making, and the ability to focus (among other things).