Hearing your partner snore in the middle of the night may feel like a normal routine. However, snoring in children may be something you didn’t expect. It will leave you wondering why it’s happening and if something is wrong.
As it is often not a big deal for rare occasions, frequent snoring may indicate a need for sleep apnea diagnosis in Singapore. Aside from this, it may also be a sign of sleep-disordered breathing that you might know.
What Does Snoring In Children Mean?
Snoring occurs when the tissues of the throat vibrate caused by airflow from the mouth or nose to the lungs. A constriction or obstruction in the nose, mouth, or throat is the most common cause.
Some sounds of snoring in children are mild, and others are loud. While your child sleeps, you may observe that they keep their mouth open and feel disturbed. It is more common in children ages three and older.
When it comes to diagnosis, to rule out the possibility of other conditions like sleep apnea in Singapore, people who snore excessively or in an unwelcome manner should consult with an ENT doctor.
Your child will thoroughly examine the nose, mouth, throat, palate, and neck. A paediatric ENT doctor will also use a sleep study to evaluate snoring and its influence on health.
When Is Snoring In Children Alarming?
1. Extended pauses
The airway may contract and block airflow on and off during the night if there are extended pauses between breaths. You may need to call your ENT for a possibility of a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in Singapore.
In certain cases, these episodes of airway obstruction might wake children leaving them feeling exhausted in the morning.
2. Bedwetting
Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal incontinence, commonly happens in children with sleep apnea or other diseases impair their ability to breathe normally through the nose while asleep. It’s best to talk to your paediatrician ENT about snoring treatment in Singapore and what bedwetting means.
3. Feeling tired
Children who find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning or who don’t feel rested when they may not be getting a good night’s sleep.
Others also experience:
- Sleeping during class
- Headaches
- Constant yawning
4. Change in behaviour
Your child’s behaviour during the day may change if their snoring is causing them to have poor sleep quality. They may feel more irritated than usual and have a short attention span.
It is vital to talk to your kid’s doctor about other possible medical concerns and if they should receive immediate snoring treatment in Singapore. It is to ensure that your child is receiving adequate sleep.
How To Deal With Children’s Snores?
1. Use a humidifier
Airborne allergens and dust can also trigger snoring. The use of a humidifier can assist in the process of purifying the air. As a general rule, it is best to switch on the dehumidifier approximately an hour before your child goes to sleep so that the air is fresh and moist.
You should keep it five to six feet away from your child’s bed. Make sure to clean these devices to avoid other issues, including mould growth.
2. Turn them to their side
You can also alleviate snoring in children by helping them sleep on their side. Sleeping on your back can result in a blocked airway from your tongue.
You can also try reclining the bed with your head up and out of it, which will help free up your nasal airways and reduce snoring. If it doesn’t help, consider seeing an ENT to rule out common conditions like sleep apnea in Singapore.
3. Promote good eating habits
One of the common causes of snoring in children is obesity. A person’s risk of SDB, such as obstructive sleep apnea, increases when they are obese.
Children with a BMI greater than 90% of their peers had four times the likelihood of snoring regularly. They are more likely to snore because their windpipes are constricted due to their thicker and heavier necks.
Aside from undergoing snoring treatment in Singapore, it’s best to guide them on the things they only consume. It’s time to change their eating habits to something healthier.
4. Use a nasal rinse device
You can relieve congestion if your child can use a nasal rinse device or neti pot properly. As one of the symptoms, the tonsils and adenoids can become inflamed due to cold-like symptoms, which can cause impeded airflow or congestion.
To address snoring in children, nasal irrigation with a neti pot is a common home remedy. They look like miniature teapots and are used for flushing salt water down.
Its benefits are:
- Easy and inexpensive
- Non-medicated
- Most likely won’t have any negative effects
- Relieves symptoms of a cold or an allergy
Using a neti pot, you may clear your child’s nose and breathe more easily and comfortably through your nose. However, it’s also necessary to get professional snoring treatment in Singapore by a trusted paediatric ENT.
Is It Time To Visit An ENT Specialist?
A lack of sleep can negatively affect your child’s everyday behaviour, attention, and concentration. Children with mouth breathing or apnea episodes and those with difficulties getting up in the morning or feeling tired during the day may benefit from a sleep disorder evaluation.
If your child continues to snore frequently, it’s ideal that you speak with a paediatric ENT to determine the best course of action for your child. A professional can help you establish if your child’s snoring is normal or serious, find the source of the problem, and determine what snoring treatment in Singapore is applicable.
The doctor will be able to outline the advantages and disadvantages of various therapy options once a proper diagnosis has been made.
Talk with a specialist like Dr Jenica Yong
Dr Jenica Yong is a Singaporean otolaryngologist and a graduate of the National University of Singapore’s medical school. Aside from dealing with snoring in children, they also offer ear wax removal in Singapore. Experience their holistic and personalised care by calling their clinic today.
