Good Night Sleep-Why It is Important

​On importance of HEALTHY BREATHING and GOOD NIGHT SLEEP.

Below are some interesting points from an article recently published in one of professional publications.

-EVEN SMALL DISTURBANCES in breathing can have substantial (and negative) effects on a child's functioning, health and behavior.

-AIRWAY FUNCTION DISORDERS  can interfere with language, learning and academics, executive function skills, socialization, self-regulation, and behavioral and emotional health in children.

- such issues as INCREASED FIDGETING AND HYPERACTIVITY, DECREASED ATTENTION,  POOR MEMORY, IMPAIRED EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS, POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, DECREASED SELF-REGULATION, and  INCREASED AGRESSION may be associated with underlying airway function disorders

-SLEEP-DISORDERED BREATHING (SDB) can lead to reduced oxygenation of the brain, change in neural physiology and function, and a lack of restorative sleep essential to optimal daytime functioning.

-RED FLAGS that may indicate sleep-disordered breathing: 
Cessation of breathing and/or gasping for air—this warrants immediate attention from a physician.
Snoring.
Audible breathing.
Open mouth posture.
Grinding teeth (nocturnal bruxism): a micro-arousal that alerts the body to breathe.
Frequent arousals leading to fragmented sleep.
Restless sleep.
Night terrors, sleep walking.

-THE ABILITY TO BREATHE EFFORLESSLY AND QUIETLY THROUGH THE NOSE  with the tongue suctioned up and the lips gently closed is essential to optimal craniofacial growth and development. Healthy nasal breathing supports proper chewing, swallowing, speaking, and overall body posture.

- Appropriately trained and experienced SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST is an important part of an interdisciplinary team and can provide key management of abnormal breathing patterns and oral functions within orofacial myofunctional treatment programs.

Adapted from: leader.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=2671816

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