Understanding Your Condition
If you’re experiencing discrepancies in your sleep and wake up feeling tired, you may be experiencing sleep apnea. About 22 million adults in America suffer from this condition, and one to five percent of children suffer from it as well.
Sleep apnea occurs when a person’s airflow is obstructed, which results in a lack of sleep each night. A sufferer may wake up feeling restless as well.
ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is diagnosed in adults and children who have trouble focusing or are overactive. People suffering from sleep apnea have also been falsely diagnosed with ADHD. This could be due to the fact that doctors might look at the symptoms before the causes of a disorder, or they aren’t well educated about sleep apnea.
Similar Symptoms Between Sleep Apnea and ADHD
Sometimes symptoms of sleep apnea mimic those of ADHD. This causes sleep apnea to be prescribed with unnecessary ADHD medications and treatments.
Sleep apnea is rare in children, and as many as 25 percent of children are misdiagnosed with ADHD.
Similar symptoms between the two disorders include:
- Restlessness
- Trouble Focusing
- Irritability
Children can’t always communicate their feelings to their doctors as well as adults can, which is another reason why they might be misdiagnosed.
Getting the Right Diagnosis and Care
Understanding the condition you or your child are going through and how to treat it is essential. The best way to determine if you’re suffering from sleep apnea is by participating in a sleep study. Dr. Aldrich is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and can recommend a local sleep physician to deliver you with the most accurate diagnosis.
While your child’s physician may prescribe a specific treatment device, some cases can even be treated with specific exercise and a healthy diet.
Call us today or simply fill out our contact form to learn more about how sleep apnea may be affecting your child.
