Bed Wetting and Night Terrors (Ep 22)

Mouth breathing and sleep issues in children can contribute to bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) and night terrors due to poor oxygenation, nervous system imbalance, and disrupted sleep cycles. Listen to Pam and Mac on how it all connects:

1. Mouth Breathing and Poor Oxygenation

When a child breathes through their mouth instead of their nose, the airway tends to collapse more easily. This can lead to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or hypoxia (low oxygen levels) during sleep. When the brain senses oxygen deprivation, it triggers a “fight-or-flight” stress response, activating the sympathetic nervous system. This stress response can:

Increase urine production (causing bedwetting)
Interrupt deep sleep, making night terrors more likely
2. Nervous System Imbalance and Bedwetting

Bedwetting occurs when the body doesn’t properly control the bladder during sleep. This happens when there’s a dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system due to repeated oxygen drops and sleep disturbances. The brainstem controls both breathing and bladder function, so if breathing is impaired, bladder control can also suffer.

Additionally, when the body is in chronic stress mode from poor sleep, it releases more cortisol and adrenaline, which can interfere with the hormone (vasopressin) that tells the kidneys to slow urine production at night.

3. Night Terrors and Disrupted Sleep Stages

Night terrors occur during deep non-REM sleep, often when a child is overtired or experiencing disrupted sleep. If a child struggles to breathe properly due to mouth breathing or airway blockages, their body may frequently pull them out of deep sleep to restore normal breathing. This incomplete arousal can trigger night terrors.

4. The Role of Nasal Breathing and Nitric Oxide

Breathing through the nose is essential for healthy sleep because it:

Filters, warms, and humidifies the air
Produces nitric oxide (NO), a gas that helps open airways, improve oxygen exchange, and regulate blood pressure
Nitric oxide plays a key role in brain function, blood circulation, and nervous system balance. Without it, children are more prone to:

Poor oxygen delivery to the brain
Increased airway resistance
Higher stress levels in the body
5. How to Address the Issue

To reduce the risk of bedwetting and night terrors caused by mouth breathing:

Encourage nasal breathing by addressing allergies, enlarged tonsils, or chronic congestion
Check for sleep-disordered breathing like snoring or apnea
Use myofunctional therapy or orthodontic treatment if needed to correct mouth posture
Promote good sleep hygiene with a regular bedtime and reduced screen time before bed
By ensuring proper nasal breathing and healthy sleep, children can experience better oxygenation, balanced nervous system function, and improved sleep quality, reducing both bedwetting and night terrors

#bedwetting, #nightterrows, #mouthbreathing, #nitricoxide