Sleep apnea has several causes, and unless the underlying problem is resolved, it’s unlikely that
you would grow out of sleep apnea. Here’s how some people may be able to resolve their sleep
apnea while others will need permanent management.

Addressing the Cause

The primary cause of sleep apnea is muscles in your airway relaxing to the point that they
actually collapse and prevent you from breathing. The cause of this could be obesity or the use
of certain medications or even alcohol which can relax the muscles in the throat too much.
These are risk factors for sleep apnea that you may be able to control, so you do have the
chance to resolve your sleep apnea, although you won’t grow out of it without addressing the
root cause.

You shouldn’t avoid treatment because you think you’ll be able to grow out of your sleep
apnea, especially when this disorder severely impacts your quality of life through headaches,
fatigue, high blood pressure, and premature death.

People Who Cannot Grow Out of Sleep Apnea

Some people have a unique facial structure that predisposes them to sleep apnea even if they
don’t have any other risk factors. This includes having a narrow throat or a thick neck. Often,
people who are overweight or obese have excess skin around the neck, making them more
likely to have sleep apnea.

People who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea as a result of their unique constitution will
not be able to grow out of it. For these sufferers of sleep apnea, finding the right management
of the disorder is essential to curb the symptoms.

What About Children?

Children have a better chance to grow out of sleep apnea, especially if the root cause is
addressed. For children, enlarged tonsils or even an overbite could be contributing to their
sleep apnea. Finding the cause is essential to treating sleep apnea in children.

Parents shouldn’t avoid treatment because they believe their child will eventually grow out of
it. This is not true for some children. If sleep apnea persists pasts adolescence, the disorder is
much more likely to be a chronic problem and will need suitable treatment to stop the
symptoms.

People who suffer from sleep apnea are unlikely to grow out of the disorder. Children have a
better chance than adults, but they should never forgo treatment because of this. It’s
imperative to uncover the cause of your sleep apnea so that you can work to manage or even
possibly eliminate the disorder.

Your dentist can talk with you about your sleep apnea symptoms or those of your child and
refer you to a sleep specialist for a proper diagnosis so you can get the treatment you need to
get your health back!

The post Can You Grow Out of Sleep Apnea? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Mouth breathing, especially while sleeping, is one of the most common signs of SDB. This sign may also be accompanied by snoring during the night and fatigue during the day. Perhaps your child is easily fatigued or frequently breathes through their mouth. These could be indicative of a sleep disorder that’s making your child tired during the day!

Poor Attention Span and Behavioral Issues

Because SDB disrupts your child’s sleep during the night, he or she may be experiencing an inability to focus during the day. Their fatigue combined with a poor attention span could result in behavioral problems that become evident at home or in the classroom. Your child may also perform poorly in school on account of their lack of focus, fatigue, and behavioral issues. These are all signs that could point to SDB.

Poor Sleep Quality

Does your child have trouble sleeping? Poor sleep quality could mean that your child is actually experiencing SDB in which they stop breathing at several points during the night. Signs of poor sleep quality include headaches upon waking in the morning, snoring, and wetting the bed. Even mild snoring could indicate a problem with SDB if your child is exhibiting other signs.

Altered Appearance

If your child’s natural posture includes a forward-leaning head, this could actually be less about poor posture and more about a sleep disorder. Combine this with obesity or venous pooling beneath the eyes and you could be seeing signs of SDB. Venous pooling under the eyes may also be referred to as allergy shiners and may be evidenced by dark circles underneath the eyes. All of these signs mean you should ask your doctor for a referral to a sleep specialist.

How Your Dentist Can Help

Dentists are often the first professionals to see signs of a potential sleep disorder in children. Your dentist can refer you to a sleep specialist if he or she suspects your child may be exhibiting symptoms of SDB. After a diagnosis, your dentist can help provide the treatment that the sleep specialist recommends, including oral appliances that can help keep your child’s airway open while sleeping!

Since SDB can lead to a variety of problems including the signs mentioned above in addition to an increased risk for heart disease and premature death, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs of SDB and visit your dentist regularly for checkups. Talk to your dentist if your child has any signs of SDB. He or she can help you see a sleep specialist to get a proper diagnosis and treatment to improve your child’s sleep and quality of life!

The post Signs Your Child Should Be Evaluated for Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB) appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.