{"id":115,"date":"2018-12-08T12:01:19","date_gmt":"2018-12-08T12:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.statecollegedentalsleepmedicine.com\/blog\/?p=115"},"modified":"2019-01-08T12:07:52","modified_gmt":"2019-01-08T12:07:52","slug":"can-this-contribute-to-sleep-apnea-in-state-college-in-your-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.statecollegedentalsleepmedicine.com\/blog\/can-this-contribute-to-sleep-apnea-in-state-college-in-your-child\/","title":{"rendered":"Can This Contribute to Sleep Apnea in State College in Your Child?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"child<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve noticed that your child snores<\/a>\nloudly or makes gasping sounds while asleep, then he or she could be suffering\nfrom sleep apnea in State College. While there can be several contributors to\nthe development of this condition, researchers have discovered a troubling phenomenon\n\u2013 the impact of smaller airways. As you read on, you\u2019ll learn about the increased\nhealth risk that this poses and what can be done about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleep apnea is the reoccurring lapse in breathing that happens\nrepeatedly throughout the night. The most common form of the condition is Obstructive\nSleep Apnea (OSA), which refers to a partial blockage of the airway that\nprevents the normal flow of oxygen during the sleep cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the normal contributors is weight gain, which can\nlead to added girth in the neck area that can partially close the throat.\nAnother common cause is the tongue falling to the back of the mouth while\nsleeping, again causing a partial blockage of the airway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Added Health Risk of a Narrow Airway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While OSA usually refers to an external factor, having a\nnarrow airway is an even more alarming situation that requires immediate\nattention. While the ideal opening of the airway is around 7 millimeters (mm),\na compromised airway can have an opening as small as 1 mm, which only allows\n14.25% of the normal flow of oxygen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Mouth Breathing Contributes to the Problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One trait to be on the lookout for when your child is\nsleeping is mouth breathing. The following show some of the negative effects it\ncan have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n