Sleep Apnea and Bed Wetting In Children
Sadly, the connection between sleep apnea and bed wetting in children is largely overlooked and misunderstood. As more and more healthcare professionals are understanding sleep-disordered breathing, this is becoming a highly researched topic.
Understanding Sleep Apnea In Children
A large number of children have a sleep-disordered breathing concern, but because Mom or Dad have no idea, it gets overlooked. One common form of sleep-disordered breathing that gets overlooked is snoring. It is estimated that five to fifteen percent of children snore. Snoring is a form of sleep-disordered breathing that should not be overlooked but is often viewed as “cute”.
Sleep apnea is another form of sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep apnea in children is estimated to be as high as 10%, but it can be difficult to evaluate because there hasn’t always been a benchmark for acceptable apneas for children. An apnea occurs when there is a cessation of breathing briefly during sleep. Some would agree that any apneas per hour for a child would be concerning.
I always tell my clients that undiagnosed or untreated sleep apnea in children has some stiff consequences. These consequences can manifest as ADHD, behavior problems, learning challenges at school, failure to thrive, depression or anxiety just to name a few. (For those of you who enjoy YouTube, I have all of my students watch “Finding Connor Deegan” to get a grasp of what untreated sleep apnea can do to a person.)
Sleep Apnea and Bed Wetting in Children
Parents rarely question prolonged bed wetting until much later in life. Nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting) is a common symptom in children with obstructive sleep apnea. Several studies, like this one, have shown that children who have sleep-disordered breathing are more likely to wet the bed than a child who does not exhibit symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing.
Another study, Association Between Primary Nocturnal Enuresis and Habitual Snoring In Children, also supports that a child with obstructive sleep apnea has a higher risk for prolonged bed wetting.
It is believed that acute stress hormones irritate the bladder and cause the need for urination, as well as the disruption of the communication between the brain and the bladder.
What To Do
Early detection and help are key. I always encourage parents to advocate for their children. If something doesn’t seem normal, then question it, time and time again if needed. People often assume that these symptoms are normal and just part of life, but the symptoms I’ve described above can indicate bigger concerns. The good news is that when you identify sleep-disordered breathing early and seek the appropriate treatment, the symptoms will usually disappear.
If your child has behavior issues, tooth grinding, prolonged bed wetting concerns, or anything else that I’ve listed above, I would encourage you to make an appointment with your doctor, as well as with a myofunctional therapist. The myofunctional therapist can help you understand how many of the symptoms connect together, as well as further screen your child for sleep-disordered breathing. Your myofunctional therapist will also help open your eyes to myofunctional concerns, that your doctor may not understand. Education from every angle is the best way to advocate for your child. Exceptional youth depend on YOU!
It doesn’t cost you a dime to make a free 30-minute appointment with me to talk about your child! Together we can make a difference!
About Carmen
Carmen found her path of passion years ago as a dental hygienist. After a stint in graduate school to earn her M.B.A., she left clinical hygiene practice to start her business, Integrative Myofunctional Therapy. In addition to seeing clients in her private online practice, she also teaches the craft of myofunctional therapy in her Myo Mastery Program, coaches dental offices on how to implement myofunctional screening into the daily practice, and speaks frequently in various settings.
Carmen is a provider for the Foundation of Airway Health, where she works diligently for the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of airway related disorders.
In addition, she is a proud member of several professional associations that afford her the opportunity to learn so that she can help her clients. Her professional memberships include: