3. Choking or Gasping Sounds: Nighttime Frights No One Should Ignore
When a sound turns from a mere disturbance to a potential sign of sleep apnea, it’s choking or gasping during sleep. These are the sounds that make your heart leap and should immediately capture your attention. This isn’t your typical tossing and turning; these sounds signify a struggle for breath.
In a child with sleep apnea, there’s a dramatic pause in breathing. This pause creates a backlog of carbon dioxide in the system. The body’s natural response is to restart breathing, often with a loud gasp or choking sound. It’s the body’s way of hitting the emergency button to resume normal functioning.
While the sound might be abrupt, the repercussions can be gradual and long-lasting. Lack of oxygen, even momentarily, can have a ripple effect across various aspects of your child’s health, affecting everything from cognitive function to emotional well-being.
Choking and gasping sounds are not just nighttime scares; they’re warning bells. Don’t chalk it up to nightmares or discomfort. It’s a situation where the body has reached a point where it has to force a resumption of normal breathing, an emergency in slow motion. (3)
