We definitely think so. Memories are a collection of the things that make us who we are. They’re the story of our life. Memories are special. They’re also at risk for people with undiagnosed sleep apnea. If someone thinks their sleep apnea “isn’t that bad” or that they can “make due and don’t need help,” here’s the story of how sleep apnea affects memory and why they need treatment.
Memory Depends on Sleep
A lot goes on while we’re asleep. It might feel like rest, but while we’re counting sheep our brains and bodies are hard at work taking inventory of the day and recovering. One of the ways we do that is called memory consolidation. Memory consolidation is the process of preserving key memories and discarding excess information, and it happens during the non-REM and REM stages of sleep.
What’s the Research Say?
- Patients suffering from sleep apnea were found to develop cognitive impairments (like dementia and Alzheimer’s) 10 years earlier in life than those without it.
- People undergoing treatment for sleep apnea added roughly 10 years of cognitive function to their lives compared to those going untreated.
- In six studies that included 212,943 participants more than 40 years of age, researchers concluded that adults with OSA [obstructive sleep apnea] were 26% more likely to develop significant cognitive decline or dementia at the 3- to 15-year follow-up.
Other Considerations for Untreated Sleep Apnea
About 30 million people in the United States have sleep apnea, but only 6 million are diagnosed with the condition. That leaves about 24 million Americans undiagnosed and untreated for a disease that can cause health problems including:
- Hypertension
- Stroke
- Arrhythmias
- Cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the muscle tissue of the heart)
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Heart attacks
Don’t Let Sleep Apnea Go Untreated
If you or someone you love lives with symptoms such as loud snoring, waking up choking or gasping for air, waking up frequently, morning headaches, or excessive daytime sleepiness, strongly consider consulting with Dr. Marzban. Treatment options for sleep apnea have advanced significantly and with roughly 30 million people in the US suffering, you’re far from alone. Patients can schedule a consultation by calling 703-349-4277.
