Did you know that people suffering from sleep apnea are at a 50% higher risk of experiencing memory and thinking issues, as well as at a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s? Surprisingly but true, studies have shown a close connection between sleep apnea and memory loss. So, let’s have a closer look at the link between them.
Sleep Apnea Overview
In short, sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA) are the two main types of the disorder.
The breathing interruptions in OSA happen as a result of blocked airflow due to relaxed muscles in the upper airway, whereas CSA occurs because the brain fails to send the right signals to the breathing muscles.
Furthermore, sleep apnea is characterized by the following symptoms:
- Very loud snoring
- Breathing interruptions during sleep
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Extreme daytime fatigue
- Poor sleep quality
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Morning headaches
- Insomnia
- Concentration and focus issues
- Mood issues like irritability
The Link Between Sleep Apnea, Brain Function, and Memory Loss
The truth is, even though the brain takes up only 2% of our body weight, it uses around 20% of our oxygen. In other words, it needs quite a huge amount of oxygen to work and function well. So, how does sleep apnea affect brain function? Here’s the answer:
Namely, as sleep apnea patients stop breathing numerous times a night, the levels of oxygen in the blood can drop significantly, thus restricting oxygen flow to the brain tissue. As a result, structural damage in the brain and brain function changes can occur, like memory loss and attention issues.
In addition, sleep apnea can negatively affect brain function as it results in poor sleep and we all know how getting quality sleep is important for repair, restoration, and proper function of tissue, including brain tissue. That said, poor sleep quality means impaired brain function.
Various studies have tried to identify the connection between sleep apnea and memory loss and have found some valuable findings including:
- Sleep apnea patients are at a 50% higher risk of memory loss.
- People with sleep apnea experience both immediate and delayed memory issues.
- Sleep apnea can contribute to faster cognitive decline
- Sleep apnea increases the risk of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
Sleep Apnea-Related Memory Loss Symptoms
In general, people mistakenly consider the early symptoms of memory loss as a normal part of aging. Plus, these signs normally develop slowly and can go unnoticed for quite a long time. Here’s what you need to watch out for:
- Forgetfulness
- Short-term memory issues
- Reduced concentration
- Increased confusion
- Personality changes
- Behavior changes
- Social life withdrawal
- Depression and/or apathy
- Inability to do daily tasks
Lowering the Risk of Sleep Apnea-Related Memory Loss
So, how to lower the risk of memory loss caused by sleep apnea? Indeed, several lifestyle changes can help you reduce the risk of sleep apnea and related memory issues, including:
- Keep a healthy body weight – following a healthy diet is important as obesity is one of the risk factors for sleep apnea.
- Be physically active – regular exercise, even half an hour several days a week, can also help you decrease the risk of sleep apnea and related memory issues.
- Stay away from alcohol or sedative medications – drinking alcohol and taking sedatives can contribute to throat muscle relaxation and worsen sleep apnea symptoms.
- Stop smoking cigarettes if you smoke.