Every night, millions of patients miss out on countless hours because of sleep apnea—leading to all sorts of awful symptoms that are simply miserable to live with, including daytime fatigue, impaired memory, trouble staying focused, and other issues that impact daily life. However, did you know that historically, some of these symptoms overlap with the condition ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)? Keep reading to learn more about the intricacies of this connection and how understanding it can help elevate the effectiveness of sleep apnea treatment.
Exploring the Link Between Sleep Apnea and ADHD
Sleep apnea is a condition where a patient’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, often due to airway blockage (this is known as obstructive sleep apnea). These pauses cause the brain to receive stress signals, which in turn causes the body to wake up to restore normal breathing patterns. As a result, the individual does not get enough sleep each night and experiences all sorts of issues.
ADHD, on the other hand, is characterized by symptoms including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms can interfere with productivity and navigating social situations, but if left unaddressed, they can also lead to insomnia and other sleep conditions.
People with ADHD are more likely to experience shorter sleep times, problems falling and staying asleep, and even nightmares, all of which can complicate sleeping patterns—and this is where the overlap in symptoms can cause some initial confusion, as these symptoms can occasionally present themselves like those of sleep apnea!
Why Professional Treatment Is Crucial
When it comes to sleep apnea, many cases remain undiagnosed; however. when and if the condition is realized, treatment can be prescribed. Often, sleep apnea can be treated with oral appliance therapy, the help of a CPAP machine, or other options depending on the circumstances. It won’t resolve itself on its own, period.
Meanwhile, ADHD can be treated with a combination of medication and therapy, and given the tendency for ADHD to cause disruption in one’s daily life, treatment is often advised.
Lessening the Impact of Sleep Apnea At Home
It’s also worth noting that much can be done at home to lessen the impact that sleep apnea and/or ADHD has on one’s life, including the following:
- Cutting off sugar, caffeine, and alcohol intake within a few hours of bedtime.
- Avoiding screen time before going to bed, as well as stimulating activities that require focus.
- Establishing your bedroom as a quiet, comfortable, and stress-free zone.
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
Sleep and ADHD can be a bit of a “chicken and egg” situation in the sense it’s not always easy to determine exactly what the root of the issue is. In any case, both can be managed in order to avoid the potentially profound consequences they pose.
About 21st Century Sleep Seminars
Under the leadership of Dr. Kent Smith, our talented team of experts here at 21st Century Sleep Seminars has proudly served the needs of providers all over who are looking to learn more about treating sleep apnea and other sleep conditions. If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to request additional information, feel free to visit our website or give us a call at (972) 255-3712.