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Does Your Kid Shake, Rattle, And Roll The Roof With Snoring?

Written by Dr. Dave Hnida, CBS4 Medical EditorWhen most of us think of snorers, the stereotypical culprit is some middle-aged guy who maybe could stand to lose a few pounds.

And while that may be true to some extent, what about a sweet, cuddly youngster who snorts, snores, and rattles the shingles off of the roof at night?

It's unfortunately more common than we think, and now comes a new study in the Journal Pediatrics that says childhood snoring may cause some school, and out-of-school, behavioral problems.

Just like in grownup airways, when there is enough obstruction to make noise, there is enough obstruction to decrease the amount of oxygen that makes it to the brain -- as well as simply causing a lousy night's sleep which can cause a child to be cranky and act up.

Now we're not talking a little or occasional noise, such as might be caused by a mild cold or allergies. Instead, it's weeks of consistent racket that suggests there's something blocking those airways that is interfering with a good, healthy nights sleep. Think asthma, severe allergies, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and so forth.

So if you are going through more than a few nights when you need to batten down the hatches, it's time for a trip to the pediatrician. You and your child may not only sleep in blissful silence, but you may also notice a boost in behavior and learning.

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