ADHD, Snoring and Flu - Can You Connect?

Has your child been diagnosed with ADHD?

If yes, have you noticed if the child is restless during sleep? According to a recent study, most of the children who are diagnosed with ADHD showed restless sleep patterns, frequent nightmares and constant fatigue. Some of the kids were even diagnosed simultaneously with sleep apnea. Most of them got woke up tired, has low concentration and increased daytime drowsiness accompanied by difficulty sleeping at night.
If your child shows similar symptoms, check if he or she snores.

Yes! Snoring is one of the most common factors that often go unnoticed as people are unaware of the serious repercussions of this sleeping disorder. But sometime or the other, all kids snore due to fatigue, exhaustion and daytime activities. Some children snore every night and that is what is the main reason of concern. In rare cases, snoring leads to sleep apnea, if the blockages restrict breathing to even a few seconds every night. This sleep disorder affects any age, cutting across nations and race.

Children who are prone to colds and coughs have enlarged adenoids and tonsils that tend to block the breathing passages at night, when they lie down. This causes obstructed breathing and snoring. This in turn causes disturbed sleep on a regular basis leading to further complications of sleep deprivation. Children who do not get proper 8-9 hours of sleep have poor memory, lack of concentration, low mental and physical alertness and daytime drowsiness. Most of these children are them misdiagnosed with ADHD due to familiar symptoms of poor performance on language, concentration and comprehension abilities.

Isn't that a serious issue?

If only the parents had been more aware of the snoring issues of the child, misdiagnosis would not have taken place nor would they stuff a normal child with medication for something that he or she does not even suffer with, in the first place!

So, if you have noticed your child snoring, who is also diagnosed with ADHD, chances are that your child may have been caught in the same circle. It is best to take a second opinion and also show the child to the pediatrician, who may suggest a polysomnogram to ascertain the level and seriousness of the child's snoring. So, to let the child sleep properly and get adequate rest, it is imperative that you look for a cure for snoring.

Your ENT or ear, nose and throat specialist can also ascertain whether the enlarged tonsils or adenoids can block the breathing passage that is causing the snores. In such cases, a simple surgery is undertaken and the glands removed. In most case, the inflammation can be temporary and anti snoring drops, throat sprays and other methods can be used to stop the constant snoring. However, it is best to check with your doctor before trying any new product related to your child. Sometimes, just a change in the diet, preventive action for flu, weight loss and seclusion from seasonal allergens can help treat snoring.