While some may find it amusing, experts warn it could indicate underlying health issues that require medical attention. Left undiagnosed and untreated, the underlying condition could lead to complications – some of them potentially life-threatening. These include developmental delay, learning difficulties, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
According to ear, nose and throat consultant specialist Dr Mohd Adzreil Bakri from Columbia Hospital Setapak, snoring is medically defined as a sound produced by an obstructed upper airway during sleep.
“Snoring typically occurs when a person has a narrow nasal and throat airway. This condition can affect both adults and children,” he told Bernama.
There are two categories of snoring: simple snoring and sleep apnoea. “Simple snoring refers to mild production of noise, while sleep apnoea is a more severe condition that may lead to various health problems that could affect quality of life,” he explained.
Mohd Adzreil said simple snoring is not considered a medical condition as it does not exhibit other symptoms like fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness.
“Sleep apnoea, on the other hand, affects a person’s health. Other symptoms of sleep apnoea in children include breathing interruptions, rapid or pauses of breathing, or choking episodes during sleep.”
While many factors contribute to snoring, in children, it is usually closely related to the size of their tonsils and adenoids. Tonsils are the small tissues located near the base of the tongue on the left and right sides of the mouth, while adenoids are tissues located on the back wall of the throat.
Snoring can also occur in children who are overweight or have conditions such as Down’s syndrome or Pierre Robin syndrome, Mohd Adzreil noted.
“In Malaysia, approximately 20% of children experience snoring problems, but most cases are simple snoring,” he said, adding that snoring in children typically begins as early as two years old.
In adults, men are more likely to snore compared with women, with the majority of cases caused by ageing and being overweight.
On whether snoring problems in children persist into adulthood, he said it depends on the cause: “Most cases caused by large tonsils and adenoids will resolve or disappear as the child grows older because the airway widens with age.”
Mohd Adzreil recounted an incident in Sabah in 2017, involving a child with a larger body frame who had been brought to the emergency department by his mother owing to breathing difficulties.
“When they arrived, the mother informed us that her eight-year-old son was experiencing fever, shortness of breath, and noisy breathing. The child was struggling to breathe.
“Immediate treatment was given, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication to widen the airways, and respiratory support using CPAP/Bipap devices (positive airway pressure therapy),” he shared.
In Isyraf Mikael’s case, Mohd Adzreil advised the child’s mother to consult a doctor for further evaluation. If the snoring is caused by enlarged tonsils, surgery may be performed to remove them. “If it is due to sinus issues, medication or surgery may also be recommended,” he added.
Ultimately, he urges parents to monitor their children’s breathing during sleep and to consult a doctor if they notice any abnormal signs.
He also advises those with excess body weight to work on reducing it to alleviate breathing and snoring issues.