The Link Between Sleep Apnea and ADHD
According to WebMD, kids who snore are twice as likely to suffer from ADHD as their peers. Why is that?
When it occurs in childhood, sleep apnea is often the result of enlarged tonsils or adenoids. On the other hand, adults with sleep apnea often have an enlarged tongue that blocks the airway while they sleep. Since enlarged tonsils and tongues are not a symptom of ADHD, this occurrence suggests that sleep apnea may be what’s causing you or your loved one’s ADHD symptoms.
Dr. Karen Guinn is an experienced sleep dentist. She’ll make sure your child gets the correct diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea.
How Do I Know If My Child’s ADHD Has Been Misdiagnosed?
While it’s certainly possible to have both ADHD and sleep apnea, there’s a high likelihood that your ADHD has been misdiagnosed. Here are some of the symptoms for both ADHD and sleep apnea according to the Mayo Clinic:
ADHD
- Impulsiveness
- Disorganization and problems prioritizing
- Poor time management skills
- Problems focusing on a task
- Trouble multitasking
- Excessive activity or restlessness
- Poor planning skills
- Low frustration tolerance
- Frequent mood swings
- Problems following through and completing tasks
Sleep Apnea
- Loud snoring
- Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Awakening with a dry mouth
- Morning headache
- Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
- Difficulty paying attention while awake
- Irritability
There are some distinct similarities and correlations between the two conditions, making it difficult to know if one is causing the other. That’s why sleep apnea symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed as ADHD.
If you think your child’s ADHD symptoms may be the result of sleep apnea, you’ll want to seek the help of a medical professional who can examine their sleep and breathing patterns. Together with her expert medical team, Dr. Guinn will help you get your life back on track with a treatment specifically designed to relieve your sleep apnea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ADHD cause sleep apnea?
Sleep-disordered breathing has been found to be the most common symptom of ADHD. Studies have shown that OSA is likely to affect patients with ADHD, as it may cause attention deficit and hyperactivity.
However, not everyone with ADHD has sleep apnea, and vice versa. This is why it’s crucial to receive a sleep study that will determine whether or not you have to condition so nothing is misdiagnosed.
Is it hard to sleep with ADHD?
On average, everyone should sleep each night for 7-9 hours in order to feel productive and energized during the day. However, people with ADHD typically have a hard time falling or staying asleep.
Since you feel tired, your ADHD symptoms progress, making it harder to sleep the next night.
Treat Your Condition Today
Dr. Guinn has extensive experience with sleep dentistry and has helped a number of satisfied patients. She’ll help your child dramatically improve their energy level, quality of sleep, and mood.
To find out more about sleep apnea treatments or schedule a consultation, call our Pasadena office at (626) 578-1687.