{"id":555,"date":"2023-06-16T21:39:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-16T21:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.weatherfordsleep.com\/blog\/?p=555"},"modified":"2023-08-06T21:43:51","modified_gmt":"2023-08-06T21:43:51","slug":"secondhand-smoke-linked-to-childhood-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.weatherfordsleep.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/16\/secondhand-smoke-linked-to-childhood-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"Sleep Apnea and Secondhand Smoke"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SmokeObstructive sleep apnea<\/a> (OSA) is a common breathing disorder that affects at least 18 million adults. However, the condition can affect children, too. Large adenoids or tonsils are often the culprits, but new research has found a link between secondhand smoke and sleep apnea in children. Here’s what you need to know before you light up again.<\/p>\n

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes frequent pauses in breathing throughout the night. An obstruction in the upper airway can cause a child to stop breathing hundreds of times per night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each breathing disturbance depletes their body of oxygen, which can’t affect their general health long-term. It also interrupts their sleep cycle, affecting their mental health and cognitive abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although sleep apnea in children isn’t as common, several factors are known to increase the risk, like enlarged adenoids or obesity. New research indicates that exposure to secondhand smoke can also raise the odds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondhand Smoke and Sleep Apnea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Secondhand smoke refers to the smoke that is inhaled by a person other than the smoker. Although your little one may not be smoking, lighting up near them exposes them to the risks of cigarettes. Besides an increased risk of asthma and other complications, secondhand smoke is also linked to sleep apnea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology<\/em>, children aged 3 to 18 with severe OSA who were exposed to secondhand smoke had more severe sleep apnea symptoms than those who weren\u2019t exposed. Another recent study found that children exposed to secondhand smoke had a 1.48 increase in risk of sleep apnea than non-exposed children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Sleep Apnea in Children<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleep apnea can be a difficult problem to detect because it occurs at night. Unless you’re watching your child sleep all night, it’s easy to miss symptoms. However, you can notice other signs of the condition, like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n