Do you have a child that is hyperactive and has difficulty concentrating? Have they been diagnosed with ADHD or you think they might be if you have them tested but you’re afraid a doctor will over medicate them? Your child may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition that is often misdiagnosed and (wrongly) medically treated as ADHD. Did you know that as many as 50% of children diagnosed with ADHD actually have pediatric OSA?
OSA is a dangerous condition in that causes momentary pauses in your child’s breathing pattern while they’re sleeping. Breathing actually stops because the airway collapses, blocking the flow of oxygen for short periods of time. Isn’t that terrifying? OSA has been linked to increased child obesity, depression, and bed-wetting. Interrupted sleep frequently can lead to other symptoms – such as fatigue, irritability, hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and an inability to concentrate – all of which can have a negative impact on a child’s education and development. If left undetected and untreated, OSA can lead to high blood pressure and higher risks of diabetes or heart disease as children grow into adults. How can you find out if your kid has OSA? A costly sleep study used to be the only way.
You may or may not know that I have a sleeping disorder and I have had a sleep study conducted in a lab overnight. {I don’t quit breathing, I just sleep or want to sleep all. the. time. You can read more about my hypersomnia diagnosis.} I was in my upper teens when I had my study and it wasn’t very fun then, I can’t imagine doing that as a child. I would have been frightened beyond belief! Not to mention that they are very costly ranging from $1500 to $3000 per night and that many clinics won’t even accommodate children. Thankfully now there’s an alternative to a sleep lab called The Easy Peezy Test.
The Easy Peezy Test, I like the sound of that already! The Easy Peezy Test, which includes a specimen cup and pre-paid return mailer, is mailed to your home. Simply return the urine sample to the lab for analysis. Within three days of receiving the test, results will be provided to your child’s doctor. If your child has OSA, you can begin discussing treatment. Testing for OSA in kids can be that simple, and at a fraction of the cost of a sleep lab study! #PeeInACup
A preliminary study shows this test has a 96.5% accuracy rate in diagnosing OSA in children. Just think of how many kids would be spared from medication if they would only take this test! However, $100,000 is needed to finish development and validation of the Easy Peezy Test. To support the Indiegogo campaign and find out more information visit http://igg.me/at/easypeezy.
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My daughter had obstructive sleep apnea. It’s amazing how much her behavior changed when we got her tonsils out! She didn’t have to go through a sleep study to get diagnosed, we simply went to her ENT and based on my description and one look at her tonsils, he said yup!
I never would have thought those two things could be confused with each other. This is so interesting!
I’ve often wondered if I have a touch of ADHD. I’m constantly looking at other things and not doing what I’m supposed to. The Easy Peezy test sounds interesting.
That does sound Easy Peezy! I wish we could identify all medical issues as easily. I will bookmark this in case any of my mama friends need answers.
My husband has ADHD and was diagnosed when he was young. I don’t see signs of it yet with my daughters, but this is interesting. Will keep it in mind in case for later on! Thank you!
It’s amazing how this can snowball into so many other issues. Great to know.
This is so interesting. I really need to look into this more.
This is really neat. I don’t think that we have any worries with this, but I know a few friends have had concerns so I’ll have to share this with them!
I never would have thought a sleep disorder could be confirmed with a urine test. Interesting! I agree, though, that it’s a much easier and convenient way to diagnose than an overnight sleep study, especially for a small child.
INTERESTING! I have never heard of OSA. I feel like my oldest sleeps well, but we are going to take this test.
Oh wow that is really interesting! I wonder how many test that way!
I have a son that is doing some extensive testing right now. He’s almost 7 with a developmental delay. I see that they are saying that there are 4 proteins seen in the urine if they have this specific problem. Couldn’t the protein be due to other things as well? Are proteins in the urine like that not linked to ADHD as well? Interesting concept.
I love when technology makes things more affordable and more accessible. I never would have though that sleep apnea and adhd could be confused.
I have heard of sleep apnea, but I didn’t exactly know what it was until now. That’s quite scary, though! I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child (and recently had to get back on medicine for it since all of those symptoms were starting to get the best of me) and my son has been diagnosed with it as well (suspect my daughter has it, too), but didn’t know that ADHD is so easily confused with a sleeping disorder (eek!).
My son isn’t hyperactive, but I think my husband and I both have a touch of either ADD or ADHD so I keep an eye out for symptoms. When I learned about the sleep apnea connection a couple of weeks ago my mind was blown! I love that such an easy “peezy” test exists.