ADHD and Snoring

ADHD and Snoring

Aren’t they angels when they sleep? But sometimes troublesome behavior during the day is caused by what happens each night during sleep. If your child seems to have ADHD and also snores, the two may be related.

A study published online in the March 2003 issue of Pediatrics looked at thousands of 5 to 7 year olds and found that snoring is significantly more common among children with mild ADHD than it is in the general population.

Snoring can be a symptom of poor breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea), which can lead to chronic poor quality sleep, which can lead to behavior and attention problems during the day. Treating the snoring may be a much better option than treating the child with ADHD medicines.

For some children, this will get to the cause of the problem, rather than just treating the symptoms.

If you think your child may have ADHD, make sure you know whether he or she snores.

Dr. Greene is a practicing physician, author, national and international TEDx speaker, and global health advocate. He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California San Francisco.

Get Dr. Greene's Wellness Recommendations

Sign up now for a delightful weekly email with insights for the whole family.