Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that’s marked by heavy snoring. It can also make you feel sleepy, unmotivated, and cause you to gain weight.
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, call Dr. Plotka right away at 781-469-1938. He’s an experienced sleep dentist who will make sure you get the correct diagnosis and the treatment that’s right for you.
Is Your Sleep Apnea Being Misdiagnosed as ADHD?
Between one-half and three-fourths of adults and children with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) also suffer from a sleep disorder. Unfortunately, ADHD is often misdiagnosed and when it’s paired with sleep apnea, it can become problematic. The relationship between these two conditions is complex and not straightforward. That’s why it’s crucial to conduct a sleep study to get the right diagnosis — this will save you time, hardship, and money.
Similar Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of ADHD include:
- Easily distracted
- Disorganization
- Forgetfulness
- Impulsivity
- Irritability
- Lack of focus
Sadly, the symptoms of sleep apnea are remarkably similar, such as irritability, lack of focus, and energy depletion. It’s not surprising that misdiagnosis between the two conditions is so common.
If you’re not experiencing all of the symptoms that we associate with ADHD, we encourage you to reach out to Dr. Plotka. He’ll help you complete a sleep study, get the proper diagnosis, and find the right treatment to alleviate your symptoms.
Find Out for Sure—Get Your Sleep Study Today
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the muscles in the throat collapse while you’re sleeping, causing the airway to close and breathing to stop. When this happens, your body will wake up. This occurs several times each night for someone with sleep apnea, robbing you of your energy and a much needed good night’s rest.
In 2013, researchers published a study that followed a young, healthy man who was diagnosed with ADHD and given medication. After 6-months without relief, he returned to the doctor who referred him to a sleep specialist like Dr. Plotka. Following a sleep study, they found that he was indeed suffering from sleep apnea and he actually didn’t have ADHD at all.
Treatment with CPAP or an Oral Appliance
If it turns out that an obstruction in the airway causes your sleep apnea, you might benefit from a CPAP machine or an alternative treatment, such as oral appliance therapy. These devices can restore proper oxygen flow to your lungs and alleviate the issues which were causing you to lose sleep.
Typically, the type of treatment we use depends on the severity of your symptoms. However, patients tend to feel more comfortable with oral appliance therapy since it’s less invasive.
Some of our patients suffer from both ADHD and OSA. In these cases, sleep apnea can irritate the symptoms of ADHD, making them harder to control. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to try one of our treatments.
For your convenience, we’re happy to answer questions relating to sleep apnea, ADHD, sleep studies, or any other aspect of sleep dentistry. Give us a call today or just fill out our online form to schedule your consultation with Dr. Plotka.