Do you smoke? Whether you are struggling to quit or have chosen to continue your habit despite its potential health consequences, it is important to pause to think about how smoking might affect those around you. Secondhand smoke could be putting your child’s health at risk! In particular, one problem that might arise is obstructive sleep apnea.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder where a person stops breathing multiple times throughout the night. These pauses disrupt the sleep cycle and make it impossible for OSA victims to get the restorative rest they need. Apnea episodes are caused by tissues in the upper airway that over-relax and block the free flow of air.
OSA is most common among adults, but children can also develop it.
OSA and Secondhand Smoke: The Connection
Research published in 2019 found a significant correlation between secondhand smoke and OSA in kids. Moreover, secondhand smoke was also associated with greater severity of OSA in young patients. Indeed, secondhand smoke seems to be an independent predictor of OSA severity, even when factors like BMI, household income, and race were all taken into consideration.
What explains the link between OSA and secondhand smoke in children? One factor may be airway irritation. The chemicals in cigarette smoke may inflame key tissues in the airway and make blockages more likely. Nicotine may cause those same tissues to over-relax.
Does Your Child Have OSA?
All parents should be alert to signs of OSA in their kids, but diligence is especially important if there is a smoker in the home. Look for these indications:
- Your child snores loudly and frequently.
- Your child sometimes stops breathing during sleep.
- Your child always seems tired despite seeming to get an adequate amount of sleep.
- Your child frequently breathes through their mouth.
Steps You Can Take
Quitting smoking may improve your child’s airway health. Keep in mind that while smoking outside is better than doing so in the home, thirdhand smoke can still have negatively effects on your loved ones’ respiratory health. Talk to your physician about cessation programs that might be able to help.
You should also talk to your child’s doctor about their symptoms. A sleep test can provide an official OSA diagnosis, and then you can learn about treatment options. If there are issues causing nighttime breathing problems beyond secondhand smoke, your child might need a custom oral appliance, a CPAP machine, or even surgery.
Smoking does more than put your own health at risk. It can also have big consequences for your loved ones! Keep an eye on your child’s breathing so you can take steps to help them sleep better.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Bridget Ryan has been practicing as a dentist for more than 25 years. She is a member of both the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Board of Sleep Medicine. If you have concerns about obstructive sleep apnea, she and our team are ready to advise you. Contact our office in North Olmsted, OH, at 440-454-8200.