As new research finds, you may be more likely to develop dementia and other cognitive decline conditions if you have obstructive sleep apnea.
One study from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative found that these diseases may be linked to a lack of oxygen during the night, which can happen when breathing is obstructed by excess tissue in the throat or other physical issues with your respiratory systems.
The researchers’ findings also showed that those who had treatment for their sleep apnea were far less likely to develop dementia than those who did not have treatment. According to the study, sleep-disordered breathing can cause beta-amyloid build-up in the brain, a key marker for Alzheimer’s. The researchers reviewed PET scans and found that plaque build-up starts before any symptoms of dementia appear.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder where a person occasionally stops breathing. When this happens, the person’s body attempts to compensate for the lack of oxygen. People with sleep apnea may gasp for air, cough, or choke. These disruptions can cause you to have a restless night’s sleep and contribute to a variety of health issues.
According to some studies, sleep apnea affects one out of every four people between the ages of 30 and 70. Stroke, depression, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure have all been associated with the disorder by experts. Sleep apnea could very well impair brain function and raise a person’s risk of dementia.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Fortunately, people with sleep apnea do not have to suffer due to the practical and accessible treatments available. Especially if you want to mitigate the risk of developing memory-related impairments and diseases, people with sleep apnea should seek treatment.
One of the most common treatments for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). With this treatment, a machine blows pressurized air into your nose. The stream of air keeps the throat open during sleep to prevent snoring and interruptions in breathing.
Find Sleep Apnea Relief in Washington
Dr. Buck is a facial orthopedist based in the state of Washington. Through teamwork and combining their expertise, Dr. Buck and his fellow ENT physicians and pulmonologists help their patients find relief from sleep apnea. With Dr. Buck and his team, relief from the severity and alleviate symptoms of sleep breathing issues is possible. For more information on Dr. Buck’s practice and the treatment options he provides, please schedule an appointment by giving us a call today at 425-361-7499. Additionally, one may contact us by filling out our online form.
