Child Sleep Apnea – Las Vegas, NV
Give Your Child the Nighttime Rest They Deserve
What are the Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea?
If your child’s breathing is repeatedly being interrupted during the night because of an obstruction in their airway, you’re likely to notice the following issues in their everyday life:
Bedwetting
One in six children between the ages of 4 and 12 frequently wet the bed. Naturally, this problem can be linked to several factors such as a small bladder, a hormone imbalance, or diabetes. However, it could also be caused by the imbalance of oxygen that results from the airway becoming blocked. It’s essential that you rule out sleep apnea as a possibility before attributing bedwetting to something more benign.
Behavioral Problems
Your child will be involuntarily pulled out of the sleep cycle multiple times a night during sleep apnea, and as a result, they won’t get enough rest. This can lead to behavioral problems that are easily mistaken for ADD or ADHD.
Night Terrors
A lack of oxygen usually triggers a “fight or flight” response in the body. As part of this reaction, your child may begin experiencing intense nightmares or night terrors, leading to restless sleep. Sometimes they might even wake up in a panic while screaming. If your child is suffering from nightmares more often than usual, it’s essential to have them checked for sleep apnea as soon as you can.
Learn More about Sleep Apnea’s Connection to ADD, ADHD, and Bedwetting
Contact us right away if you notice the above symptoms; the sooner we can address your child’s sleep issues, the better.
What If My Child is Breathing Through Their Mouth?
Do you notice that your child breathes through their mouth whenever they sleep? This can be more dangerous than you think. Mouth breathing often leads to problems such as:
- A constricted airway that disrupts their breathing
- Speech problems and improper swallowing
- Orthodontic issues such as crooked teeth and misaligned bite, or the disruption of an existing orthodontic treatment
- The enlargement and inflammation of tonsils
Many studies have found that mouth breathing can also induce sleep apnea or else make an existing sleep disorder worse. This is because breathing through the mouth makes the airway more likely to collapse and increases nasal resistance. If you see your child breathing through their mouth regularly, let us know; it could affect the course of their treatment.