If you follow our blog, you’ll notice that we call awareness to medical conditions linked with unhealthy sleeping habits, and one that is often overlooked it ADHD.
ADHD or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder is most often attributed to children with trouble focusing, impulsive behavior and so much energy that they stop moving. Educators, policymakers and scientists have referred to ADHD as a national crisis and have spent billions of dollars looking into its cause and treatment.
Also, many adults in this country that struggle to manage ADHD in their work environment.
A growing number of researchers propose that kids today are not getting the sleep they need, either because of sleep habits and sleep disorders — and it leads to challenging behaviors that contribute to or mimic ADHD. While somewhat controversial, the theory has been gaining momentum with several studies suggesting links between ADHD and the length, timing and quality of sleep.
One of the first studies on the topic showed 50% of children with ADHD had signs of sleep-disordered breathing, compared to only 22% of children in the control group.
A recent study confirmed the link between ADHD and sleep disorders including sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and more — in both children and adults.
The researchers have suggested that, as part of diagnosing ADHD, patients have a sleep study to determine if the patient has sleep apnea. They also call for regular screening for sleep problems be part of ongoing ADHD management.
Managing ADHD often requires a combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and even dietary changes. If sleep disruptions contribute to difficulty concentrating during the daytime, then treating the sleep problem could be part of the overall plan.
To learn more about evaluating sleep as part of ADHD management, Millennium Sleep Lab can connect you with one of our sleep specialists.
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