ADHD comes with its own share of challenges, but did you know that it can also be linked to a number of sleep problems? In particular, it’s known that many adults and children with ADHD also suffer from sleep apnea, an all-too-common sleep disorder that can lead to serious health issues if left untreated for too long. Just how closely are ADHD and sleep apnea connected? Here’s a brief overview of how these conditions can be more related than you might think.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is short for “attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.” It is characterized by an inability to focus and having a hard time sitting still. Many individuals with ADHD struggle to pay attention when someone is talking to them, have trouble managing their time, and tend to be forgetful.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Having sleep apnea means that your breathing repeatedly stops and restarts while you’re asleep. The most common form of this disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs with the airway is partially or fully blocked by soft tissues in your throat. Not only does sleep apnea often result in loud snoring, but it also makes it very difficult to get the quality sleep your body needs to stay healthy; this is because each interruption of your breathing forces your brain to wake you up in an effort to get some air.
How Can ADHD and Sleep Apnea Be Related?
It’s common for ADHD and sleep apnea to occur together. In fact, researchers believe that as many as a third of ADHD sufferers also experience sleep-disordered breathing. Furthermore, untreated sleep apnea can potentially make ADHD symptoms worse, leaving you even more prone to forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and impulsive behavior.
What Should You Do If You Have ADHD and Sleep Apnea?
Getting sleep apnea under control can often go a long way toward making ADHD symptoms more manageable. As such, if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you should have it treated by a professional as soon as possible. This can potentially involve wearing a personalized oral appliance that moves the lower jaw forward in order to help keep the airway clear while you slumber.
As for ADHD, you’ll need to speak to your doctor to discuss your options for treatment. The condition can often be addressed with special medication as well as specific kinds of therapy.
Whether they occur together or not, both ADHD and sleep apnea need to be addressed as soon as possible if you want to prevent them from taking too much of a toll on your overall quality of life.
About the Author
Dr. Pamela West has enjoyed a fruitful career that spans more than 30 years so far. She graduated from the University of Southern California Dental School, and she currently belongs to a number of professional organizations, including the American Association of Sleep Medicine and the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. She provides customized oral appliances as a solution for sleep-disordered breathing. If you think you have sleep apnea, you can schedule a visit with Dr. West at iSleepSolutions in Las Vegas by visiting her website or calling (702) 602-2000.