Sleep apnea is a discomforting and sometimes dangerous disorder that affects sleepers of all ages. The issue is particularly troublesome in children, however, as many of sleep apnea’s symptoms can be mistaken for attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A misdiagnosis can not only lead to unnecessary medication, but may also allow the sleep apnea to progress and worsen. This misdiagnosis is so common, in part, due to the many shared symptoms between the afflictions; children living with either sleep apnea or ADHD will experience heightened irritability, trouble focusing on tasks, difficulty with organization, and academic or educational problems at school. Fortunately for parents and teachers, there are a number of indicators that should separate children with sleep apnea from those with ADHD. These indicators can be easily identified through a diagnostic sleep study.
An alumna of Princeton University and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Pamela Berkowsky established Virgin Islands Ear, Nose & Throat with her husband in 2002. A former Pentagon official and member of the Board of Directors for the Foundation for the Reichhold Center for the Arts, Pam Berkowsky has been deeply involved with several local public, private and non-profit institutions. One such organization with which Pamela Berkowsky continues to be involved is the St. Thomas Sleep Center, where a variety of illnesses and disorders are treated, including restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a discomforting and sometimes dangerous disorder that affects sleepers of all ages. The issue is particularly troublesome in children, however, as many of sleep apnea’s symptoms can be mistaken for attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A misdiagnosis can not only lead to unnecessary medication, but may also allow the sleep apnea to progress and worsen. This misdiagnosis is so common, in part, due to the many shared symptoms between the afflictions; children living with either sleep apnea or ADHD will experience heightened irritability, trouble focusing on tasks, difficulty with organization, and academic or educational problems at school. Fortunately for parents and teachers, there are a number of indicators that should separate children with sleep apnea from those with ADHD. These indicators can be easily identified through a diagnostic sleep study. Comments are closed.
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AuthorA resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands since 2002, Pamela B. Berkowsky took her most recent governmental management role in 2007, becoming Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. John de Jongh Jr. Thriving in this position, in which she managed daily Government House and Cabinet operations and policy development and implementation, she was promoted to Chief of Staff in 2011. Archives
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