ADHD & Sleep Apnea- A Serious Disorder!!!
June 13, 2008
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder that affects millions of American children, and it can persist into adulthood. Problems generally associated with ADHD
include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. They can affect nearly every aspect of life. Children and adults with ADHD often struggle with low self-esteem, troubled personal relationships and poor performance in school or at work.
Many people with ADHD have problems falling asleep. They may not keep a regular bedtime, losing track of time when preoccupied with projects or watching a television show. They may not be able to calm down enough to fall asleep, with thoughts racing through their minds. The stimulant medication they take may interfere with falling asleep. Others may complain that they continually wake up through the night. Once awake, they may have trouble falling back to sleep.
Signs and symptoms
At various times, ADHD has been called attention-deficit disorder (ADD), hyperactivity, and even minimal brain dysfunction. But ADHD is the preferred term because it more accurately describes all aspects of the condition. Most doctors believe that a child shouldn’t receive a diagnosis of ADHD unless the core symptoms of ADHD appear early in life and create significant problems at home and at school on an ongoing basis.
ADHD symptoms fall into two broad categories:
§ Inattention
§ Hyperactivity-impulsive behavior
In general, children are said to have ADHD if they show six or more signs or symptoms from each category for at least six months. These symptoms must significantly affect a child’s ability to function in at least two areas of life — typically at home and at school. In most children diagnosed with ADHD, signs and symptoms appear before the age of 7, although they sometimes may occur even earlier.
Inattention:
Signs and symptoms of inattention may include:
· Often fails to pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities
· Often has trouble sustaining attention during tasks or play
· Seems not to listen even when spoken to directly
· Has difficulty following through on instructions and often fails to finish schoolwork, chores or other tasks
· Often has problems organizing tasks or activities
· Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as schoolwork or homework
· Frequently loses needed items, such as books, pencils, toys or tools
· Can be easily distracted
· Forgetful often
Hyperactivity-impulsiveness
Signs and symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsive behavior may include:
· Fidgets or squirms frequently
· Often leaves his or her seat in the classroom or in other situations when remaining seated is expected
· Often runs or climbs excessively when it’s not appropriate or, if an adolescent, might constantly feel restless
· Frequently has difficulty playing quietly
· Always seems on the go
· Talks excessively
· Blurts out the answers before questions have been completely asked
· Frequently has difficulty waiting for his or her turn
· Often interrupts or intrudes on others’ conversations or games
Symptoms of ADHD in adults
ADHD always begins in childhood, but it may persist into adult life. The core signs and symptoms of distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior are the same for adults as for children, but they often manifest themselves differently and far more subtly in adults. Hyperactivity, in particular, is generally less overt in adults. As difficult as this is, the impulsive behavior of some adults with ADHD can be even more problematic. The inability to control impulses, which some experts say may be the defining characteristic of ADHD, can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in heavy traffic to mood swings, intense outbursts of anger, blurting out rude remarks and having troubled relationships.
Below lists the following as characteristic of adults with the disorder:
· A childhood history of ADHD
· Hyperactivity and poor concentration
· Inability to complete tasks
· Mood swings
· Hot temper
· Inability to deal with stress
· Impulsivity
Causes
Parents often blame themselves when a child has been diagnosed with ADHD, but scientists increasingly believe that structural changes in the brain, not parenting, may be a leading cause of the disorder. At the same time, certain environmental factors may contribute to or worsen a child’s behavior. Although much still isn’t understood about ADHD, researchers have identified several factors that may play a role:
· Altered brain function and anatomy.
· Heredity.
· Maternal smoking, drug use and exposure to toxins. Pregnant women who smoke are at increased risk of having children with ADHD.
· Childhood exposure to environmental toxins.
Treatments:
Optimal treatment for ADHD is still a matter of debate. Current treatments typically involve therapy, medication or both. However, recent research indicates that a combination of therapy and medication may be the most helpful treatment.
Summary:
ADHD is further complicated because some children who are hyperactive or inattentive actually have sleep problems, not ADHD. Researchers have discovered that snoring and sleep apnea may lead to hyperactivity and inattention. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition in which you repeatedly stop and start breathing during sleep. If you have a child who is hyperactive and snores or who has trouble sleeping, a pediatric sleep specialist, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or both may be able to help.
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