quality sleep

ADHD and Sleep Disorders

Submitted by Koala Center for Sleep Disorders

s the new school year begins, its only natural that theres more awareness about learning and behavior issues. One of the most controversial topics that comes up frequently is ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is thought that 2 to 4 percent of children have this condition, and a shocking 50 percent of children with this condition are on some form of prescription medication. Not only is it seen in children, but adults can have it as well. Symptoms include the inability to focus or pay attention, being easily distracted, and various behavioral problems in the classroom. There are a number of proposed explanations for why ADHD occurs, including brain biochemical imbalances, environmental, and dietary toxins, and allergic conditions. One possible explanation that doesnt receive much attention is from lack of deep quality sleep. Simply getting enough sleep can dramatically improve a childs behavior and focus. We know from numerous studies that poor sleep, whether not enough sleep or poor quality sleep, can adversely affect the brain in a number of different ways. For one thing, lack of oxygen to the brain has been shown to cause lowered blood flow and metabolism in critical areas of the brain, including parts that involve memory and cognitive function. Does your child breath through his mouth more than his nose? Mouth breathing is most common between two and 6 years of age, but can start as early as the first year of life. Breathing through the mouth while sleeping allows the tongue to drop down from the roof of the mouth where it normally rests, to slide back into the throat and block the airway. It may seem like a harmless habit, but mouth breathing leads to restless sleep, snoring, and possibly sleep apnea (abnormally long pauses in breathing during sleep). Last month, the Journal of Pediatrics published a study linking behavior problems in children with snoring and sleep apnea. AccordPage 48 Healthy Cells Magazine Bloomington October 2013

ing to a 2012 study in Pediatrics, children who snore or who have other nighttime breathing conditions have 50100 percent increased symptoms of hyperactivity. Behavioral sleep problems can impair daytime function in ways that mimic ADHDs manifestations. Large tonsils are another cause of sleep apnea. Allergies can cause enlarged adenoids and tonsils, making it difficult to breath through the nose. Breathing issues, snoring and sleep apnea not only disrupt the quality of sleep, but can also lead to a host of problems affecting growth and development. Mouth breathing can increase congestion. Prolonged mouth breathing actually tends to narrow the face, which narrows the sinuses, further increasing congestion and sinus issues. Children with sleep disorders may not be getting deep restorative sleep. Human growth hormone (HGH) gets released in the deepest stages of sleep. Some children who fail to thrive are not reaching the deepest stages of sleep and therefore not receiving enough HGH. Without adequate sleep, growth problems mainly slowed or stunted growth can result. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, get him/her evaluated for a breathing/airway disorder by a physician. Don't wait to treat your child's mouth breathing. We want to identify sleep and airway issues as early as possible. Critical growth and development occurs at a young age. School performance, behavior, and ADHD can all be associated with breathing and sleep quality. A sleep disorder not only results in a sleepy, cranky, and often poor-performing student at school, but also an irritable, unhappy child at home. Tara Griffin, DMD, FAGD is a general dentist focusing on treatment of snoring, sleep apnea, TMJ Disorders, and facial and neck pain with oral appliance therapy. For more information, please call the Koala Center for Sleep Disorders at 309-319-6568 or visit www.taragriffindmd.com.