Pediatric sleep issues can range anywhere from disordered breathing in sleep (mouth-breathing, snoring, heavy breathing, choking/gasping) to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). These issues occur when muscles in the back of the throat relax, causing the the airway to narrow as your child breathes inward. As with everything else, Dr. Tran takes a collaborative team approach to treating pediatric sleep issues.
The answer is typically, "they sleep fine." Most parents do not sleep in the same room as their child, which is why Dr. Tran takes a deep dive into your child's sleep structure. Having a bedtime routine, regulating screen time, and having a peaceful space for slumber are just a few things to consider. If you have these down pat and your little one is still waking you in the middle of the night, there are other signs Dr. Tran will explore.
If your child is not getting enough oxygen in their sleep, they are not getting enough oxygen to their brain. Abnormal breathing is an indication of potential airway obstruction. This may ultimately result in the following symptoms:
Your child may seem to sleep through the night, but that sleep might not be quality. If your child does the following, it may be an indication of poor quality sleep:
A diagnosis of ADHD might actually be symptoms due to an underlying sleep issue. Children who do not reach their REM cycle will have impaired executive functioning skills, which includes working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Here are a few of those symptoms:
Pediatric sleep issues are complex and require accurate diagnosis. The signs are just a piece of the puzzle. If Dr. Tran suspects the presence of abnormal breathing during sleep, she will want to find out what is causing the obstruction and will work with your ENT to explore the underlying cause. This requires a good understanding of your child's sleep environment, craniofacial structure and function. Dr. Tran may use the following diagnostic tools to get the bigger picture:
Dr. Tran refers to the best ENTs who know how to work with children. Airway obstruction can occur at any level of the pharynx. It is imperative that nothing gets missed. Such obstructions may include:
Therapy is essential to establishing correct breathing habits before and after surgery. Dr. Tran refers to therapists who will focus on properly establishing the following through myofunctional therapy and breathing retraining:
Research shows that palatal expansion will increase airway volume! For this reason, Dr. Tran is able to provide early orthodontic services to help your child's craniofacial growth and development. Dr. Tran keeps up with the most recent literature regarding early orthodontic intervention and believes it is vital to improving long term outcomes. Learn more under early orthodontics.
Dr. Tran's ultimate goal is to help your child learn proper nasal breathing on their own during sleep. This means establishing:
It requires a full comprehensive treatment plan and a good team. Dr. Tran makes it a point to work with the most experienced and knowledgeable providers in the field of pediatric airway.
Dr. Tracy Tran prides herself on going the extra mile. Quite literally. Experience your doctor’s care from the comfort of your home in a concierge appointment or from her accessible locations across the LA county area.
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