Signs your kid might have sleep apnea

Between texting, talking on the phone, and video games, it's hard to get yours kids to sleep.

But there could be something else that's robbing them of a good night's rest.

Getting your kid to sleep like a baby is harder than ever these days. If you have a teen, you know exactly what we're talking about.

Edward Grandi with the American Sleep Apnea Association says, "They go to bed and immediately they're texting their friends, or they're looking at movies."   

Or they're on Facebook or Twitter or checking their email, it's endless.

Grandi says, "It's a challenge because we've got a lot of stimulus now that would keep us going 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

But it's important to power down for the sake of a good night's rest.

Grandi says enforcing bedtime rules can benefit everyone. “Before bedtime, everybody puts their PDA's, smart phones, cell phones, everything into the basket and you don't touch it again until the morning." 

For a growing child, not getting proper sleep can affect brain development, concentration, and lead to weight gain.

But aside from all the technological distractions, there could also be a hidden condition preventing your child from sleeping well.

Grandi says, "If parents go into the bedroom and see the covers are all turned upside down and the kid's head is at the foot of the bed instead... That should be a concern." It’s a concern that your kid might have sleep apnea.

Other red flags include excessive snoring and bedwetting. Grandi says, "When they're past the age where they should be able to control their bladder at night, if they're having difficulty controlling their bladder at night, it should be another indication that perhaps it's from sleep apnea."  

It’s a good reason to get your kid checked out so they can get a healthy night of sleep.