If you’ve ever had sleep apnea, chances are it was not an enjoyable experience. Between the constant drowsiness, the restless nights, the complaints of snoring, and the worry over your health, you probably would never want to go through it again! But if you have children, it’s natural to worry whether or not they might suffer from the same health problems you did. Is sleep apnea hereditary? And if so, what can you do about it? Read on to learn why you might need to seek sleep apnea treatment in Lawton for your little one.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. There are different kinds of sleep apnea, but most people will experience what is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Simply put, OSA occurs when your airways have been blocked somehow – usually by oral tissues or throat muscles that have relaxed and collapsed. The breathing interruptions that OSA causes can occur more than 30 times each hour of sleep in the most severe cases. Over the long term, the disorder will lead to excessive sleepiness, heart problems, and potentially dangerous health issues.
Is Sleep Apnea Hereditary?
There are several genetic risk factors for OSA. It’s generally more likely to affect people who are overweight, have thicker necks, or are male. Notably, having a family history of sleep apnea does seem to increase the risk of suffering from the condition yourself. Of course, factors related to environment or lifestyle can have a significant influence as well; there’s no guarantee that your child will experience OSA just because someone else in their family had it. That said, it’s important to be aware of all the risk factors.
How Will You Know if Your Child Has Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is probably the easiest sleep apnea symptom to identify; your little one might also snort, cough, or choke, so definitely take note of any unusual noises. They might also wet the bed or suffer from sleep terrors. During the day, the lack of quality sleep might cause them to perform poorly in school, have trouble paying attention, and exhibit behavioral problems.
What to Do if Your Child Has Sleep Apnea
Get in touch with your sleep dentist right away and ask them about the steps of having a sleep study performed. Once sleep apnea in Lawton has been properly diagnosed, it becomes possible to treat it with an oral appliance or other forms of therapy.
Your child deserves to grow up healthy, and that means making sure they always get the rest they need. If you have any reason to think your little one might be at risk for sleep apnea in the future – whether it’s due to genetics or other factors – it’s your responsibility to get the expert care they require as quickly as possible.
About the Author
Dr. David Drummond graduated from Northwestern University Dental School in 1982. While he was in the United States Army Dental corps, he received advanced training in many different fields, including pedodontics (children’s dentistry). His sleep apnea practice, Stop Snoring Lawton, helps patients of all ages find relief from OSA. If you’re concerned that you or your child might have a sleep disorder, get in touch with Dr. Drummond at his Lawton practice through his website or call (580) 355-0344.