Do you worry your kids may have sleep apnea? Unfortunately, it isn't an ailment that only strikes at adults. It can hit anyone, from a newborn on up. If your child is consistently tired, it may be worth your time to watch your child sleep for a few nights and see if he or she is showing any signs of sleep apnea. Here are some of the most common signs your child will likely exhibit.
Signs Your Child May Be Struggling with Sleep Apnea
First, you will likely notice that your child makes a lot of noise when they sleep. This can be snoring, gasping, or lots of loud, deep breaths as your child's body is trying to get caught up after a pause. These noises are often accompanied by pauses in your child's breathing. If you notice that your child stops breathing for more than 5-10 seconds at a time, take note.
Next, you will likely notice your child is exhausted and irritable a lot during the day. This is due to sleep deprivation. Your child may be tossing all night long, or sleeping in a really unusual position, making sleep not as deep as it could be. This will leave them tired, and probably cranky.
Finally, you may notice that your child may also struggle to stay dry at night. When a child goes from staying dry at night to wetting the bed, this can be a sign of sleep apnea and should be brought up at your next dental or doctor's appointment.
Watch and listen to your child for an hour of their sleep, and mark down how often they stopped breathing, the position they slept in, and how long each episode was. If your child's dentist or doctor wants to diagnose sleep apnea, these numbers will be very helpful in narrowing down the problem.
About Us - Russellville, AL • Singing River Dentistry Click here now to learn more about us at Singing River Dentistry in Russellville, AL! Singing River Dentistry - Russellville, 531 St Clair St, Russellville, AL 35653; 256-460-4191; russellville.singingriverdentistry.com; 11/14/2024; Related Terms: dentist Russellville AL;