This Sleep Condition Affects Our Cognitive Abilities
The brain is an organ that nobody would
want to experience a decrease in function, even a slight one. People are
willing to do whatever it takes to maintain brain function, but several
factors can negatively impact it, some of which are beyond our control.
However, there are also controllable factors, such as regular exercise
and a balanced diet. Unfortunately, some factors are not well known,
making it difficult to identify their negative effects on brain health.
One such factor is sleep apnea, a syndrome that often goes unnoticed
because it occurs during sleep. Sleep apnea affects many people, but is
not widely understood./
What is sleep apnea and who is at risk of
developing it
This particular sleep disorder involves the cessation or reduction of
breathing while asleep, and is often caused by a blockage of air by the
tongue and palate, which results in snoring. Throughout the night,
breathing is frequently interrupted for periods of 10–30 seconds,
leading the individual to wake up in order to regulate their breathing.
Although the individual may not realize that their sleep is being
interrupted, a common sign of this disorder is constant fatigue upon
waking, no matter how long they sleep. If you suspect that you may be
experiencing this issue, it is recommended that you review these 7
indicators for a more thorough assessment.
Based on various research and experiments, it is hypothesized that around
2-7% of men experience moderate to severe sleep apnea, while the
percentage for women is around 2-5%. However, these figures may not
accurately reflect the actual number of people affected by this health
condition, as many remain unaware of their condition and do not seek
medical help.
What it the connection between sleep apnea
and reduced cognitive abilities?
The impact of sleep apnea on cognitive function has been established by
scientists, who have found that interrupted oxygen supply to the brain
during sleep affects its structure and functioning. Nevertheless, some
experts attribute this effect to other health issues that are related to
sleep apnea, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and peripheral
vascular disease.
According to Dr. Ivana Rosenzweig, a neuropsychiatrist and head of the
Sleep Center and brain plasticity at King's College London, the latest
study suggests that even healthy individuals may suffer brain damage due
to interrupted breathing during sleep.
What sleep apnea does to the brain and
cognition
The study involved 27 men aged 35-70 with moderate to severe comorbid
sleep apnea, whose test results were compared with those of other men
without sleep apnea or comorbidities from 7 different research sources.
All participants had a body mass index below 30, did not smoke or drink
alcohol, and were not obese.
Although no causal relationship could be established, the findings
suggest a strong correlation between sleep apnea and brain damage.
According to the study, men who suffered from sleep apnea suffered more
than others from problems such as a decrease in short-term memory and
damage to executive functions - mental processes that allow us to plan,
maintain concentration, retrieve information from memory and do several
things at the same time. They also showed less sustained attention,
alertness and impulse control.
The cognitive abilities of the participants were assessed using several
neuropsychological tests, and Dr. Rosenzweig notes that one of the most
surprising results was that the participants who suffered from sleep
apnea also showed a decline in social and emotional cognition. "In our
clinic, this phenomenon was usually mentioned by the partners of the
patients. For example, the spouse sometimes reported that the patient
suffering from sleep apnea is a person who is 'less emotionally
present', 'irritable', or 'less thoughtful'. However, in the studies
conducted until our study, no such connection was noted.
What do other experts say about this study?
According to Dr. Colleen Lance, a physician at the Center for Sleep
Disorders at the Neurology Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, getting
enough uninterrupted sleep is crucial for the brain and mind to heal and
maintain good health. The brain's ability to heal is negatively
affected when sleep is shortened or interrupted.
Dr. Lance provides an example from animal studies, where rats that
experienced a lack of sleep had more protein accumulation in their
brains, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease. Sleep plays a vital role
in clearing out this protein waste, and sleep apnea hinders this
process, leading to cognitive decline.
How to deal with sleep apnea
Identifying sleep apnea in your partner may be necessary, since 80-90%
of people who have the syndrome are unaware of it. If you experience
breathing interruptions during sleep, it's recommended that you consult a
physician and undergo testing in a sleep laboratory to determine the
severity of the syndrome.
The treatment you receive will adhere to the severity of your condition:
Treatment for mild to moderate cases may involve losing weight or
changing sleeping positions, while more severe cases may require
surgical intervention or an oral device adjusted by a dentist. The most
severe cases may require the use of a CPAP device, which delivers
regular air pressure to the throat through a mask worn during sleep to
keep the airways open.
To avoid the issue, professionals suggest refraining from drinking
alcohol or taking sedatives before sleeping, resting on your side rather
than your back, and enhancing sleeping conditions such as creating a
dark environment and refraining from using screens for at least one hour
before going to bed. All of these measures should be taken to prevent
the problem.
This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.
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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes
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Labels: CPAP- continuous positive airway pressure, sleep apnea- affects cognitive abilities, sleep on sides
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