SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING IN KIDS (SDB)

Dr.Jay (Krithika Jayaprakash) • Oct 01, 2021

Many parents want to give the best for their kids in order for kids to have a successful and quality life. Unfortunately many parents are unaware that their kids are struggling to breathe at night and some even during the day. Normal nasal breathing is extremely important for a child’s growth and development. When a child’s breathing is disrupted, the body recognizes it as choking causing the heart rate to slow down, the blood pressure to increase and wakes up the brain (which we call as arousals during sleep disruption). This disruption in brain function causes medical issues and concentration issues next day causing severe medical complications.

The kid in picture is mouth breathing as some part of their airway is restricted.

When anyone is breathing through their mouth, the air is not properly filtered and humidified.

This is a silent epidemic or we can call it a crisis among children. 9 out of 10 children have SDB issues.

Some of the telltale signs and symptoms are

·      Difficulty concentrating in school

·      ADHD/ ADD ( kids are hyperactive to keep them awake during day as a result of lack of sleep)

·      Bedwetting

·      Restless sleep

·      Delayed growth/stunted growth

·      Snoring

·      Mouth breathing

·      Frequent waking up during night

·      Peer problems, socialization problems

·      Anger, irritability and aggressive behavior

·      Depressing

·      Extreme tooth grinding

·      Chronic Allergies, asthma, eczema

·      Swollen tonsils and adenoids

·      Nightmares

·      Morning headaches

·      Daytime drowsiness

·      Sleep walking and talking

·      Delayed learning issues

·      Crooked teeth, bad breath

·      Venous pooling under eyes ( or baggy eyes, dark circles)

What is wrong with mouth breathing?

When the kids breathe through the mouth day and night, they do not get the oxygen through their nose which should be the normal pathway. When kids breathe through nose, it warms, moistens and filters the air before it reaches the lungs. But when they breathe through the mouth because of chronic nasal congestion it ends up in a vicious cycle of enlarged tonsils and adenoids. When the kid sleeps with the mouth open, it causes the jaw to drop backwards further constricting the airway. This in turn causes less oxygen to be delivered to brain, muscles and cells of the body resulting in less optimal function.

Breathing through mouth can cause dry mouth, decayed teeth, crooked teeth, gum inflammation, poor growth and facial abnormalities. The kids also snore at night and have restless sleep. This in turn leads to a tired kid. So these sleep deprived kids either are hyperactive to keep them awake or delayed and slow.

Sleep is an important factor in growth and development of a child.

Dr.Jay treats sleep disordered breathing in kids at her practice. She feels that this can avoid many complications later in their adulthood. Many adults end up having sleep apnea, cpap and poor quality of life as they were not treated for SDB in their early life. So it is Dr.Jay’s passion to treat SDB in children.

Call our office for a consult and evaluation if your child has any of the signs and symptoms of SDB.