Breathing, Sleeping & Thriving!
by Mary Chris Murry
B
reathing, sleeping, and thriving—it’s all connected. But sleep disorders are becoming increasingly recognized as a growing concern for children across the country. Nine out of 10 kids suffer from one or more symptoms including mouth breathing, snoring, bed wetting, delayed growth, nightmares, ADD/ADHD, restless sleep, difficulty in school, overbite/overjet, and crowded teeth, just to name a few. If left untreated, there may be a significant impact on the child’s full growth and development potential. The central issue for many children suffering from the effects of sleep-related breathing disorders is a compromised airway. When a child’s airway is narrow, underdeveloped, or constricted in any way, the child will struggle to receive enough oxygen and may resort to mouth breathing, which compounds the issue by creating inflammation. Crowded teeth can force the tongue backwards into the throat, further restricting the airway. Conventional treatment options such as prescription drugs, surgery, braces, and even academic tutors have been limiting and ineffective, mainly because they do not address the core issue. None of them actually promote or develop a child’s airway and help them get the oxygen and sleep they need to be healthy. continued on page 46
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