Snoring is a common issue for both adults and children. While adults may suffer from snoring due to a variety of reasons such as age, obesity, smoking, or alcohol consumption, snoring in children can be concerning.

Parents should pay attention to their child’s snoring as it can be a sign of underlying health issues. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about your child’s snoring.

What is snoring?

Snoring is caused due to narrowing of air passages in the body, including the nose, throat, or mouth during the sleep.

As a result, when the child breathes in during deep sleep, the restricted air passages cause the tissues to vibrate, leading to snoring.

Types of snoring in children

Not all snoring is the same. Snoring in children can be categorized into two types: primary snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Primary snoring

Primary snoring doesn’t cause any serious breathing problems, and the child will have no other symptoms. The child will breathe normally during the day and will sleep peacefully at night, apart from snoring.

Parents don’t need to worry if their child has primary snoring, but medical attention is nevertheless essential to ensure that there aren’t any underlying issues.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a more severe form of snoring in which there is a blockage in the upper airway. This blockage results in pauses in breathing, which is called apnea. Following each apnea, children may wake up from their sleep.

This can happen multiple times throughout the night, leading to disrupted sleep and cause various health issues.

Causes of snoring in children

There can be various reasons behind a child’s snoring. Here are some of the common causes:.

Obesity

Obesity can lead to excessive pressure on the airways and make it more challenging for the air to pass through them. Therefore, overweight children may snore more often than those who are not.

Enlarged tonsils or adenoids

Enlarged tonsils or adenoids can obstruct the airways, leading to snoring. This is one of the most common reasons behind snoring in children.

Asthma or allergies

Children who have asthma or allergies may have inflamed airways, which can lead to snoring.

Nasal congestion

Nasal congestion can narrow the nasal passage, leading to snoring.

Sleeping position

The position in which the child sleeps can have a significant impact on snoring. Sleeping on the back can cause the tongue to block the airway, leading to snoring.

When to see a doctor?

While primary snoring may not cause any significant health problems, it is better to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying issues.

If your child’s snoring is loud and accompanied by breathing pauses, gasping, or choking sounds, then it’s time to visit a doctor. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to various health problems, including high blood pressure, heart problems, stroke, ADHD, and failure to thrive in young children.

Diagnosis

For the diagnosis of sleep apnea, a doctor may recommend a sleep study. In a sleep study, the child will be hooked to machines to monitor various physiological functions such as breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels.

Based on the results of the sleep study, the doctor can determine whether the child has obstructive sleep apnea or primary snoring.

Treatment

The treatment of snoring in children depends on the underlying causes. Here are some of the common treatments:.

Weight loss

If obesity is the cause of the overweight child’s snoring, weight loss may help. According to research studies, even a 10% reduction in weight can help reduce the frequency and intensity of snoring.

Removal of adenoids and tonsils

If the child’s snoring is caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids, removal of these tissues can be an effective treatment.

CPAP machine

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is an effective treatment for sleep apnea. In this treatment, a mask is placed over the nose, which blows air into the airways to keep them open during sleep.

Positional therapy

If the cause of the snoring is sleeping on the back, positional therapy can be helpful. In this therapy, the child is trained to sleep in a different position to avoid snoring.

Conclusion

Snoring in children can be a concern for parents. While primary snoring doesn’t cause any significant issues, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to various health problems.

Parents should pay attention to their child’s snoring – if it is loud and accompanied by breathing pauses, gasping or choking sounds, it’s time to visit a doctor. Remember, early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent long-term health problems associated with sleep apnea.