08/11/2023
Dear Dr. Rosenberg,
I have heard that poor quality sleep and insufficient sleep can contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Could this be true?
Yes it is. During sleep, especially deep sleep, a system in the brain called the Glymphatic system is activated. When activated it flushes out Beta Amyloid a major toxin implicated in Alzheimer's disease.
Dear Dr. Rosenberg,
I have been on ropinerole, a medication for restless legs for five years. It worked great and then a few months ago the pain started earlier in the day and is worse than ever. What are your thoughts?
What you are describing is called augmentation. It is not uncommon with long term use of drugs such as ropinerole. I would seek the advice of a sleep specialist. It is treatable, but at some point you will have to be taken off of ropinerole.
Dear Dr. Rosenberg,
My husband has heart failure and a recent sleep study showed central sleep apnea. What’s the difference between central sleep apnea and obstructive apnea?
Central sleep apnea is rather common in congestive heart failure. In central apnea the brain fails to signal the respiratory system to breathe. With obstructive sleep apnea the airway collapses and despite making an effort to breathe you cannot get air into your lungs.
