Author: Dr Jason Yu

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Primary Care Specialist & Allergy Doctor, MBBS (USYD), FRACGP (2020)

‍Co-founder of MissionMed & Local Partner at Myhealth, South Eveleigh

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That adorable nighttime snoring from your little one is more common than you might think – up to 30% of children snore, and it’s usually preschoolers aged 2 to 6. While often harmless, sometimes childhood snoring can signal that something else is going on and it might require a doctor’s visit.

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Recent sleep studies by the University of Maryland highlight that snoring can disrupt a child’s sleep patterns, potentially affecting their cognitive development, physical growth, mood and behaviour. Children who snore are also more likely to face learning difficulties that could impact them into adulthood.

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But don’t worry just yet. We’re here to help you figure out the difference between perfectly normal childhood snoring and the kind of snoring that needs medical attention – keep reading this guide.

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What Causes Snoring in Kids? 

Allergies and several other factors may be causing your child’s snoring by partially restricting airflow through the nose or throat. These same issues can also lead to sleep-disordered breathing, a condition where airflow is regularly disrupted during sleep, causing fragmented or disturbed rest.

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Understanding the causes behind snoring can help you assess whether it's a passing issue or something that requires attention. Let’s uncover the common culprits behind these noisy nights.

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Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids

Swollen tonsils and adenoids are among the most common causes of snoring in children. These immune system tissues, located at the back of the nose and throat, can become enlarged due to infections or allergies.

When swollen, they limit the airway space, creating vibrations and snoring sounds during sleep. Addressing these issues can significantly improve your child’s breathing.

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Nasal Obstruction

Blocked nasal passages force children to switch to mouth breathing, which increases the likelihood of snoring. Common causes of nasal obstruction include:

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• Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis): Seasonal or year-round allergies can inflame nasal passages and make it harder for children to breathe through their nose. This is a major contributor to snoring for many children.
• Structural Issues: Features such as a deviated septum can make nasal breathing more difficult.
• Environmental Irritants: Regular exposure to irritants, such as second-hand smoke, can worsen nasal inflammation.

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By identifying the underlying nasal obstruction, doctors can recommend effective treatments to clear these blockages and improve breathing.

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Facial Structure and Mouth Breathing

The way your child’s face, mouth, and throat are shaped can play a significant role in snoring. Certain structural features can make nasal breathing less effective, encouraging mouth breathing and increasing the chance of snoring. Examples include:

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• Smaller or Set-back Jaw: Reduces airway space, making breathing more difficult.
• Tongue Position During Sleep: Can partially block the throat, leading to breathing issues.
• Shape of the Palate and Overall Facial Structure: Influences how air moves through the airways during sleep.

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These traits are often linked to sleep-disordered breathing, an umbrella term for issues that disrupt airflow during sleep and contribute to snoring.

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Environmental and Lifestyle Influences

A child’s immediate sleep environment can significantly impact their breathing and snoring:

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• Air Quality: Irritants such as dust, pollen, mould and smoke inflame the airways, worsening snoring.
• Room Conditions: Maintaining a balanced temperature and moderate humidity supports easier breathing during sleep.
• Bedding Setup: Supportive pillows can help align the airways and reduce snoring.

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By addressing these environmental factors, parents can often create a healthier sleep environment, helping to reduce snoring intensity.

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Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can either cause or worsen snoring in children:

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• Asthma: Conditions that inflame the airways and disrupt normal breathing patterns.
• Respiratory Infections: Illnesses like colds that temporarily cause nasal congestion.
• Body Weight: Carrying excess weight places pressure on the respiratory system, increasing snoring during sleep.

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Identifying and managing these conditions can often improve slee and educe snoring over time.

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How to Help Your Child Stop Snoring

Managing childhood snoring takes a balanced approach, including home strategies and professional medical help when needed. By getting to know the various treatments available, parents can make wise choices for their child's sleep health.

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Home-Based Solutions for Better Sleep

Creating the right sleep environment and encouraging effective sleep positions can significantly reduce your child's snoring and improve overall sleep quality. Here are some practical home-based solutions to help your child breathe more easily at night.

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• Ensure the room is well-ventilated to prevent nasal passage irritation.
• Maintain moderate humidity levels, using a quality humidifier during dry winter months if you don’t have dust mite allergies.
• Slightly elevate your child’s head during sleep to improve airflow through the airways. Do not do this in infants less than 2 years old. 
• Encourage side sleeping instead of back sleeping to keep the tongue from falling backward and blocking the airway.
• Position a favourite stuffed toy to help younger children stay in a side-sleeping position through the night.

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By making these small adjustments to your child’s sleep routine, you can create an environment that promotes easier breathing, reduces snoring intensity, and supports a more restful night.

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Professional Medical Interventions

When home remedies prove insufficient, various medical treatments can effectively address childhood snoring. For children with allergies, appropriate medications prescribed by a healthcare professional may reduce nasal inflammation and improve breathing. 

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Nasal saline rinses can help clear congestion and irritants from the nasal passage. 

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Specially designed nasal strips might benefit older children and adults by gently opening the nasal passages.

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In cases where enlarged tonsils or adenoids contribute to snoring, allergy treatment can sometimes help your child avoid surgical intervention. However surgical intervention may be needed in some cases that do not respond well to treatment. 

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Many children experience significant improvement in both sleep quality and daily functioning after these treatments.

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Preventative Care and Long-Term Management

Maintaining healthy habits can support better breathing during sleep. Regular physical activity and balanced nutrition help manage weight, reducing pressure on breathing passages. 

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For children who habitually breathe through their mouth, targeted exercises prescribed by speech pathologists can improve muscle tone and breathing patterns.

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Environmental modifications also play a role in prevention. Regular cleaning to reduce dust and allergens, replacing air filters, and maintaining appropriate room temperature all contribute to better sleep breathing. These measures prove particularly beneficial for children with respiratory sensitivities.

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Signs Your Kid’s Snoring is a Concern

Parents should seek a professional assessment if their child:

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• Snores regularly (3+ nights weekly)
• Shows noticeable breathing pauses during sleep
• Experiences morning headaches
• Has difficulty waking up
• Shows persistent daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep time

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Alongside these warning signs, unexpected behavioural changes or new learning challenges might indicate sleep-related breathing issues that require medical attention. These signs can point to sleep-disordered breathing, which can have a significant impact on your child’s health and development.

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When to Seek Specialist Care

Consider consulting our practice if: 

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• Your child's snoring persists despite implementing home remedies 
• Sleep position changes don't improve breathing 
• Daytime symptoms such as a sniffly and blocked nose or eye rubbing 
• You notice consistent mouth breathing during daily activities

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Our comprehensive assessment approach helps identify the most effective treatment path for your child’s snoring, especially if allergies play a role. We consider factors like age, overall health, and specific breathing patterns to develop personalised treatment plans that address both immediate concerns and long-term prevention.

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By combining appropriate medical interventions with consistent home care strategies, most children experience significant improvement in their sleep-breathing patterns. Regular monitoring and adjusting treatments as needed ensure continued progress in managing childhood snoring.

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Key Takeaways

Getting to the bottom of your child's snoring can be daunting, but recognising important signs and knowing when to see a doctor can truly benefit their health. Remember these key points:

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• Regular snoring (3+ nights per week) in children may require medical attention, especially when accompanied by gasping or pauses in breathing.
• Sleep-disordered breathing can affect your child's learning, behaviour, and physical development. Common causes of snoring include enlarged tonsils and adenoids, allergies, nasal congestion, and structural issues in the airway.
• Warning signs include loud snoring, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating at school, and irritability.
• Allergies significantly contribute to childhood snoring through nasal inflammation. Managing allergies often improves breathing during sleep.
• Early assessment and treatment prevent long-term health issues and support better sleep quality for your child.
• Treatment options range from environmental changes and allergy management to medical interventions, depending on the underlying cause.

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Remember: While occasional soft snoring might not be concerning, sleep-disordered breathing can affect your child's development. Consider professional evaluation if the signs are there.

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Consulting with a healthcare professional, such as Dr. Jason Yu, can help diagnose or rule out allergies as the underlying cause of snoring and explore appropriate treatment options.

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Medical Disclaimer: This article is intended for general health education. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical advice. Individual medical circumstances vary.

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Author Bio

Dr. Jason Yu is an experienced Primary Care Specialist and expert Allergy Doctor with over 10 years of experience. After graduating with his MBBS from the University of Sydney in 2014, he went on to complete a Graduate Certificate in Allergic Diseases and attain his Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

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Registered with AHPRA, he specialises in treating allergies, bruxism (teeth grinding), TMJ dysfunction (jaw pain) and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). He also offers plant-based treatments, providing innovative care for his patients.

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