Healthy Living

Sleep Apnea and Dementia: New Link Discovered

Sleep Apnea and Memory Problems

Sleep apnea tends to cause memory problems because the condition is connected with low levels of blood oxygen. This decreases your brain’s oxygen supply. Researchers have found out that people who had low oxygen levels in their sleep had developed dementia. On the other hand, waking up multiple times throughout the night was not associated with dementia.

The increased threat for memory and thinking issues linked with sleep-disordered breathing will need more research. More studies consisting of more people will be needed in order to uncover the outcomes of sleep issues on Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other forms of dementia. At around 70 to 80 percent, sleep apnea may be prevalent in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Past research has shown that aging patients with Alzheimer’s disease experienced more severe signs from sleep apnea— frequent awakening as compared to sleep apnea patients with no dementia.