Sleep Apnea & ADHD
Has Your Sleep Apnea Been Misdiagnosed as ADHD?
Feeling irritable throughout the day, being unable to focus on a task, mood swings, and exhaustion are all symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but did you know they’re also symptoms of sleep apnea?
In many cases, especially in children, sleep apnea is misdiagnosed as ADHD. This can result in prescriptions of unnecessary medications and not receiving the proper, most effective treatment.
Shared Symptoms Between ADHD & Sleep Apnea
The following symptoms that are connected to ADHD are also indicative of a sleep disorder:
- Short attention span/trouble focusing
- Disorganization
- Crankiness/irritability
- Memory problems
If you notice these symptoms occurring in yourself, a loved one, or your child, it’s important to take action. The only way to diagnose sleep apnea is to get a sleep test and review the results with a qualified sleep specialist.
Sleep Tests
Getting a sleep test will determine whether or not you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that causes your throat muscles to relax, blocking your airway and interfering with your ability to breathe while you sleep. As a result, you wake up several times a night, often without recollection.
Sleep tests can be taken in a facility or in the comfort of your own home. It’s a painless process — you’ll be monitored by special attachments overnight that will record your breathing, movement and temperature patterns.
After your test, a sleep physician will review your results, and if necessary, give a diagnosis. From there, you can seek treatment with Dr. Sage White.
Contact Dr. White Today
Every person should be able to have a good night’s sleep and enjoy all the benefits that come with it. If you’ve tried treatment for other conditions and aren’t seeing results, getting a second opinion can give you comfort and reassurance.
Give Dr. White a call at (435) 267-0486 today — we’ll help you on the road to restored energy, better moods, and the quality of life you deserve.