Link Between Sleep Apnea and ADHD | Michigan Sleep Apnea Center

Some of the latest research indicates that about 50 to 75% of those with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) also suffer from sleep apnea. It’s important to talk to a professional sleep specialist who can rightly diagnose your condition. This is the only way to get the treatment you need. The best way to avoid a misdiagnosis is to undergo a sleep study. Without a proper diagnosis, it’s possible to try treating ADHD symptoms that are actually caused by sleep apnea, especially since the symptoms are so similar. Dr. Bogrow can make a professional assessment so that proper treatment can be given so the symptoms you are experiencing can be reduced.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea and ADHD

Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD include:

· Forgetfulness

· Impulsivity

· Inability to focus

· Irritability

· Easily distracted

· Disorganization

The thing is, these symptoms are very similar to those caused by sleep apnea including the lack of focus, irritability, and feeling like you have no energy. Since these symptoms overlap, misdiagnoses are common. Dr. Bogrow recommends a sleep study if you or a loved one experience a few ADHD symptoms.

Sometimes patients suffer from both ADHD and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can aggravate the symptoms of ADHD. When you suffer from ADHD, a lack of sleep can cause more anxiety in particular. Children and adults who don’t get good sleep will react differently. A child who doesn’t get adequate sleep will become hyper in most cases. Adults, however, become fatigued.

Why a sleep study?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles at the back of the throat collapse and block the airway. When you stop breathing, sleep is disrupted. Every time an apnea occurs, you stop breathing, and your body sacrifices energy. Even if you sleep eight hours each night, if you are having apnea episodes during the night you can feel tired and find it difficult to concentrate throughout the day. If you or your loved one suffers from sleep apnea, ADHD medications will not help alleviate symptoms effectively. A Michigan Sleep Apnea Center sleep specialist can test for and diagnose sleep apnea. Once you receive the proper diagnosis and treatment, symptoms should lessen.

What happens if Dr. Bogrow finds I am suffering from sleep apnea?

If Dr. Bogrow diagnoses you with obstructive sleep apnea, he will prescribe appropriate sleep apnea treatment. You may benefit from using a CPAP device that provides continuous pressure in the airway to keep it open while you sleep. This will keep your breathing from stopping while you are sleeping. Or, you may be prescribed an oral appliance that fits in your mouth similar to a mouthguard. It will reposition your lower jaw forward so your airway remains open during sleep.

You can start by taking this free sleep apnea assessment on the Michigan Sleep Apnea Center website. The results let Dr. Bogrow know if you will benefit from a sleep test to determine if you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. Once you are tested and have a diagnosis, then Dr. Bogrow will make a treatment plan. If you need an oral appliance, a custom-made device will be made for you. Then you can begin benefiting from getting a good night’s sleep!

Contact Michigan Sleep Apnea Center

If you or your loved one is experiencing any of the common symptoms of ADHD and/or sleep apnea, please contact us with your questions. We will be happy to schedule you for an exam with Dr. Bogrow and help you get on the road to better sleep.

Testimonials

“Dr. Bogrow and his staff helped me deal with sleep apnea in a painless, non-invasive way without a C-PAP machine. Prior to using the dental appliance, my sleep study measured nine interruptions an hour. After getting used to, and wearing the appliance for over a year, my follow-up sleep study measured just TWO interruptions per hour. I don’t notice these interruptions at all and I am waking up feeling wonderfully well-rested! Dr. Bogrow’s been so kind and very patient with me, because getting the best results requires fine-tuning and patience as the appliance is adjusted. Dr. Bogrow takes time to listen to answer any questions I have. I truly appreciate the service he provides and would recommend this option to anyone with mild sleep apnea, before starting on a CPAP machine. As they say, “There’s nothing like a great night’s sleep!”

Lisa W.

“I am writing this review with the most sincere thank you for what you have done for me. As you know I was diagnosed with mild to moderate sleep apnea in January of 2020. I was prescribed a CPAP machine and dutifully used it for the following 18 months.

It was a period of misery. In the course of using the CPAP I averaged 3-5 hours of sleep a night, had to get up 3-5 times a night to go to the bathroom, was unable to sleep on my side which I have done all of my life due to the mask leak from each of the numerous styles that I had tried. Additionally, each time I went to bed or was awakened it took 20-30 minutes to fall asleep. When I woke up in the morning I was exhausted. Use of the variety of masks I used accentuated feelings of claustrophobia. It very quickly got to the point that I absolutely dreaded going to bed. Simply put I was miserable.

I decided to explore options for treating my Sleep Apnea problem. Thankfully, it did not take long to find Dr. Bogrow. Reading about his credentials, experience and most notably his successes convinced me that he was the one I wanted to see. From the first visit I knew I had made the right choice.

I received my Prosomnus oral appliance on 6/9/2021 making it 5 months of extraordinary results. I now average 7-8 hours of sleep a night, I get up 1-3 times a night, two times is the number 95% of the time, I now can sleep on my side enabling me to sleep peacefully, it takes on average 5-10 minutes to fall asleep whenever I am awakened and there are no feelings of claustrophobia.

This has changed my life dramatically, I no longer dread going to bed and I wake up feeling at least 30-40% more rested than when using the CPAP device. My experience makes me think of the song “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life”.

I have Dr Bogrow and Barb to thank for my new life. If a person meets the criteria for the use of these oral appliances for treatment of their Sleep Apnea it is with my strongest and most sincere recommendation for them to contact Dr Bogrow’s office. Barb is a wonderful person to work with, always kind and understanding as well as competent and helpful. Do yourself a favor, get in touch with them and explore your options.”

Satisfied Patient

“Dr. Bogrow is a wonderful doctor and person! He is compassionate and expert in helping me, and I’m sure many other patients, get needed and healthy sleep! I appreciate all that he and his kind staff members have done for me over the past 5-plus years. Thank you.”

Darla F.

“When I first came to see Dr. Bogrow I was always so tired. I felt like I didn’t get a wink of sleep. That was definitely not the case because I could sleep anywhere at any time. I had a cpap machine in my closet for over two years and couldn’t bring myself to continue to use it.

I asked my doctor if a mouthpiece could possibly help me. He recommended that I speak with Dr. Bogrow, so I made my appointment and our journey began. I was fitted with my appliance and after just a few adjustments it was working beautifully! Amazingly I now sleep knowing that when I wake up in the morning I will feel new and refreshed to take on the day! I thank God for Dr. Bogrow, Barb and the entire staff for their excellent care, expertise, and how they genuinely care about me and how I feel! So if you suffer from sleep apnea please don’t hesitate to talk with Dr. Bogrow. I know he will do everything he can to help you feel good again!”

Janice L.

“Dr Bogrows successfully modified a temporary oral appliance for sleep apnea in pursuit of a permanent appliance for me. Dr Bogros considers my case “challenging” and I appreciate his acceptance of the challenge. Everyone I have had contact with in the office (Barbara, Sarah, Amy) have been pleasant, professional and efficient.”

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