Stephanie Grassullo, a mom who never imagined something so common could be so concerning, recently shared a warning every parent needs to know. She explained that none of her 12 years of parenting prepared her for this insight, which she wishes she’d known sooner.
A Surprising Sign You Might Overlook
Melody Yazdani, a mother who recently went viral, posted a note on social media about a critical warning sign in a photo of her son sleeping. Her message: mouth breathing in children, even while asleep, can be a red flag for potential health issues.
Why Mouth Breathing is a Concern
Yazdani shared that children should ideally breathe through their noses, whether awake or asleep. Her discovery came during a long journey of doctor visits, trying to understand her son Kian’s struggles at school and home. She found answers when a dentist, while examining Kian, noticed wear on his teeth and asked if he was grinding them at night.
An Article That Changed Everything
One article led Yazdani to groundbreaking information. It discussed the link between mouth breathing, ADHD, and sleep-disordered breathing. Every symptom described fit her son, revealing insights that transformed her approach to his health.
Mouth Breathing’s Long-Term Effects
Yazdani’s research opened her eyes to the effects of mouth breathing on children. When kids breathe this way, their bodies don’t receive enough oxygen, impacting their sleep quality and the brain’s ability to rest. It also prevents the tongue from positioning itself correctly, which can affect jaw development, speech, and teeth alignment.
Risks During Sleep
The issue extends beyond development concerns. A recessed jaw from mouth breathing may obstruct the airway at night, sometimes contributing to sleep apnea. When the body tries to correct this, children may wake slightly, disrupting sleep cycles and sometimes leading to grinding.
Misdiagnosing ADHD Symptoms
The most eye-opening discovery for Yazdani was the overlap between ADHD symptoms and sleep deprivation. Children who don’t sleep well due to breathing issues may show behaviors identical to ADHD, which can lead to a misdiagnosis.
A Turnaround After Diagnosis
Yazdani’s persistence led to Kian’s diagnosis of sleep apnea and sinusitis. Treatment is ongoing, but the impact on his behavior has been transformative. She’s noticed a reduction in tantrums, an increase in appetite, and even a growth spurt shortly after his surgery.
Looking Forward to Further Progress
With improvements underway, Yazdani is hopeful that the changes will continue as treatment progresses. She says they’ve already seen dramatic results, and she can only imagine what lies ahead as Kian continues to recover.
Sharing Her Story to Help Other Parents
Yazdani wants other parents to learn from her experience. She regrets not knowing these signs earlier but hopes her story can help others recognize and address similar issues with their own children. She encourages parents to bring up any concerns with a healthcare provider—it might be life-changing.
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