{"id":242,"date":"2021-11-18T20:07:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T20:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prachdds.com\/blog\/?p=242"},"modified":"2021-12-23T20:08:46","modified_gmt":"2021-12-23T20:08:46","slug":"dentist-casper-can-secondhand-smoke-put-child-at-risk-of-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prachdds.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/dentist-casper-can-secondhand-smoke-put-child-at-risk-of-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Secondhand Smoke Increase Your Child\u2019s Risk of Sleep Apnea?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you\u2019re a smoker, you\u2019re probably not too concerned about the effects smoking can have on your body. But have you ever thought about what it may be doing to your children? Even if they\u2019re just exposed to secondhand smoke, it can have all sorts of dangerous side effects on their growing bodies. For young children, that includes increasing their risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Unfortunately, this disorder can prevent your little ones from getting the quality rest they need. Read along to learn more about the impact secondhand smoke can have on your child\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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

Obstructive sleep apnea<\/a> (OSA) is a disorder that causes the body to stop breathing multiple times throughout the night. If your child suffers from this condition, it can cause their oxygen levels to drop, which is extremely harmful to their developing body. Since sleep apnea causes your little one\u2019s breathing to stop repeatedly while they\u2019re sleeping, they wake up often to get some air. As a result, they won\u2019t be getting the quality rest they need to develop and grow up healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Secondhand Smoke<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Did you know that sleep apnea is rare in children? It has a relatively low prevalence rate of about 4%. However, a recent study found that children between the ages of 3 and 18 have a much higher chance of developing the disorder if they\u2019re exposed to secondhand smoke. Additionally, those children are more likely to suffer from a severe form of sleep apnea. It\u2019s worth noting that the relationship between sleep apnea and secondhand smoke is still under investigation. Some other risk factors to watch out for include obesity, enlarged tonsils, a small jaw, craniofacial syndromes, muscle weakness, and down syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Tell If Your Child Has Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The only way to know for certain whether or not your child suffers from sleep apnea is to have them undergo a sleep study. A professional sleep will use a special device to monitor their vitals during the night, watching out for signs or patterns that could indicate the condition. Once your sleep dentist confirms a diagnosis, you can begin to explore treatment options for your little one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child exhibits any of the following, they may be suffering from sleep apnea:<\/p>\n\n\n\n