Do you have a difficult time sleeping? If you do, don’t just shrug it off. Talk to your doctor about whether you have sleep apnea. Your brain will thank you.
A recent study published in Neurology indicates that older adults with untreated sleep apnea (repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep) tend to begin losing their memory at around age 77, compared to age 90 for those without breathing problems. However, when sleep apnea is treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, it can dramatically slow down correlated memory decline, the study suggests.
Sleep apnea occurs when your airway collapses or is blocked during sleep. Besides heavy snoring, you may have repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep, and wake up feeling unrested.
There are many other, more subtle, symptoms, such as:
- Non-restorative sleep
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Morning confusion
- Headache or dry or sore throat in the morning
- Hypertension
- Impotence
- Anxiety
Unfortunately, sleeping disorders hit older adults the hardest. Studies show that sleep apnea symptoms affect between 20-50% of older adults, and that 70-year-olds are twice as likely to be affected by sleep apnea as 40-year-olds. Those at particularly high risk are smokers, people who are overweight, and those who drink alcohol before sleeping.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
CPAP machines, which are used while you sleep, are considered the most effective solution for sleep apnea. When you use a CPAP machine, it delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep your throat open while you’re sleeping. The treatment has been shown to improve daytime sleepiness, mood and cognitive function. As well, Alzheimer’s patients who use CPAP machines can have improved cognitive functioning.
To find out if you have this disorder, see your doctor. They can refer you to a sleep specialist, who will monitor your sleep pattern in an overnight sleep apnea test or study.
