Many kids snore on occasion, but about 12 percent of kids under age 10 snore habitually, according to Dr. Michael Schechter, a pulmonologist and epidemiologist in an NPR.org article. Heavy snoring isn't just a bunch of loud and silly noises, either. If your child snores heavily and often, he might have an underlying health problem that requires treatment.
Physiology
Snoring sounds occur when air can't move freely through the nose or mouth during sleep, according to KidsHealth, a part of the Nemours Foundation. The sound results when the tongue and the upper throat vibrate against the uvula and soft palate during breathing, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology---Head and Neck Surgery. If a child has problems with her tonsils and the adenoids, those structures also vibrate with air flow and cause her to snore heavily.
Common Causes
Other issues beside problems with the adenoids and tonsils can cause a child to snore heavily. Seasonal allergies, colds, sinus infections and a deviated septum in the nose can cause blockages in the nose that lead to snoring in children, according to KidsHealth. Children who are overweight may also snore due to narrowing of their air passages.
Sleep Apnea
Snoring is also a symptom of a potentially dangerous sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea, which is marked by irregular breathing during sleep. According to KidsHealth, a child with sleep apnea might stop breathing for short periods of time between 30 and 300 times every night. Between 1 and 3 percent of children between ages 2 and 6 years might experience obstructive sleep apnea, and children whose parents snore or have obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to have the condition, according to WhattoExpect.com. Since sleep apnea interferes with quality sleep, children with the condition might awaken with headaches and experience drowsiness and have trouble concentrating throughout the day, according to KidsHealth.
Sleep Log
If your child snores, create a log of his sleep symptoms. If possible, log tidbits such as when he begins to snore, how long the snoring lasts and whether he is sick when his symptoms get worse. If he snores and sleeps restlessly, seems to have breathing trouble and gasps for air when he wakes up, he might have obstructive sleep apnea, says WhattoExpect.com. Also note symptoms that arise during the day, such as headaches and irritability. Bring your findings to your doctor.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The doctor will do a physical examination of your child's nose and throat to determine whether congestion, enlarged tonsils or enlarged adenoids might be causing the problem. If tonsils or adenoids are the likely culprit, the doctor might recommend surgical removal. If congestion is the problem he might recommend an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine or prescribe an antibiotic if your child's congestion is due to a bacterial infection. If he believes your child might have sleep apnea, he will order a sleep test at a clinic, says KidsHealth. Other treatments for snoring might involve weight loss, dietary changes and removing allergens from the bedroom.
