ADHD Tonsils

ADHD Tonsils

Evidence continues to mount about a strong connection between chronic sleep deprivation and ADHD. A fascinating study published in the March 2002 issue of Pediatrics found that among the 866 children studied, those who snored were almost twice as likely as their peers to have ADHD. The common denominator seems to be obstructive sleep apnea.

Large tonsils and adenoids can partially block the airway at night, causing snoring, poor sleep quality, and perhaps ADHD. For children with true obstructive sleep apnea and ADHD, taking out the tonsils and adenoids might result in both better sleep and better behavior, without the need for medications.

New research suggests a surprising potential treatment for at least some children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- surgical removal of the tonsils.

Children in the study who had their tonsils removed showed improvements in both behavior and sleeping, and half of those diagnosed with ADHD prior to surgery no longer had the diagnosis a year later.