Snoring In Children: Causes And Solutions

Your doctor can determine if your child’s snoring is normal. In any case, parents should be aware of the difference between normal snoring and snoring as a symptom of a health problem.

Snoring is usually only associated with adults, as it is caused by conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and obesity, as well as smoking, alcohol consumption, and other conditions.

This is why many parents are alarmed when they discover that their children snore.

Abnormal snoring in children

The causes of snoring in children are varied. In most cases , snoring is completely harmless and temporary.

Depending on the intensity and characteristics of their snoring, however, it could also be a symptom of a serious problem, or one that could potentially become serious. We will discuss the most common biological causes of snoring in children below.

Disease

• Colds. Colds lead to increased mucus production. This can block the airways and cause children to snore in their sleep. Of course, not all children with a cold will snore and not all snoring children have a cold. It can be difficult to make the connection between abnormal snoring and a cold. This type of snoring is generally characterized by a snore every few minutes.
• Asthma.  This is a chronic condition where one of the symptoms is breathlessness during moments of physical exertion or intense stress. Asthma can also make the airways hyperactive and hypersensitive to environmental factors. This means that conditions such as cold air in the room where the child sleeps causes a slight blockage in his airways. This leads to snoring.

. Mites, pet dander and other substances can affect the muscles of the throat and airways, causing blockages and difficulty breathing at night. This is one of the common causes of snoring in children.

Other Causes of Snoring in Children

• Sensitivity to cold. Even if the child does not have asthma and is not suffering from a cold, their tonsils may be sensitive to cold. When this happens, the tonsils swell and block the airway. This means that many children snore in the winter.
• Cigarette smoke. If one or both parents smoke in the house, it can affect the development of the child’s lungs. This is a much underestimated cause of snoring in children. Snoring is far from the worst symptom of secondhand smoke. If you notice that your child is snoring, try to stop smoking. This will also help to avoid serious conditions such as asthma.

Solutions for snoring in children

Among the home remedies for snoring in children are a wide range of  and infusions, massages and sleeping positions. Of course, you should only use these if the cause is not pathological, or to find out if it is. Other resources that can help include:

• Moving your child to another room.
• Keep the room at a moderate temperature, so also keep the air conditioning low in the summer.
• Use hypoallergenic sheets and pillows.
• Put your child in a different position if he snores.

Consulting your doctor is always a good idea if your child is snoring persistently and there is no obvious cause.

When should I be concerned about my child’s snoring?

The time to worry is if your child’s daily life is affected by the snoring. If your child has a bad mood or persistent discomfort such as muscle aches, headaches and more, see your doctor right away. 

Poor sleep and sleep deprivation can make snoring worse. Meanwhile, the snoring itself can cause children to sleep lightly and suffer from sweats, chills and other symptoms.

Keep these symptoms in mind when you talk to your doctor.