03/08/2024
Sleep apnea linked to cognitive dysfunction and memory issues
A new study found that sleep apnea is linked to poor memory and cognitive issues. This shouldn’t come as a surprise; sleep apnea reduces the amount of oxygen available to the brain and other tissues in the body.
Sleep apnea affects almost 10% of women and 25% of adults in the U.S. and up to 60% of people over 65.
Some of the most common signs of sleep apnea are loud snoring, breathing pauses (or gasping for air) during sleep, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and dry mouth upon awakening.
If you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to be tested immediately. Several validated devices can now be used to test for sleep apnea at home (without visiting a sleep clinic). Treating sleep apnea when present can be a game changer, as it’s associated with everything from diabetes to heart problems to cognitive disorders.
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