If you’re like most people, your mind often feels muddled after a poor night of sleep. This state can make it hard to focus, stay alert, and even form coherent thoughts. That said, the mental dangers of sleeplessness don’t stop there; research shows a connection between sleep apnea and memory loss. A lack of quality rest will leave you struggling to remember things after a while. For more details, read this summary on the matter from your Silver Spring sleep dentist.
Remind Me: What’s Sleep Apnea?
Before you get to the main topic, you should review the basics of sleep apnea. You’ll then have a stronger grasp of why it’s associated with memory troubles.
Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop and start breathing many times while asleep. Typically, it’s caused by airway blockages (in obstructive cases) or the brain failing to control your breath (in central cases). Whatever the ailment’s exact cause, though, it makes many people snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night of sleep.
If you show key symptoms of sleep apnea (i.e., fatigue, daytime sleepiness, snoring, etc.), quickly see a healthcare professional. They can create a treatment plan that helps you manage your symptoms and prevent complications.
How Is It Connected to Memory Loss?
Given enough time, sleep apnea will do more than leave you groggy and irritable. It’ll gravely increase your risk of memory loss and similar cognitive impairments.
This finding comes from research on how sleep apnea affects the brain. In a 2014 study, researchers found that sleep apnea patients suffer brain damage similar to that from Alzheimer’s disease. A 2010 study published in the journal Sleep saw similar results; apnea patients had large reductions in gray matter in certain brain regions. These brain-related changes are known to cause mild cognitive impairments, including poor memory.
Can You Fight Apnea-Related Memory Loss?
As luck would have it, people have the power to fight and reverse apnea-related memory loss. You just have to adopt the right practices and actions.
In particular, the best solution is to get professional sleep apnea treatment. Researchers find that patients who use a CPAP are diagnosed with memory problems ten years later than those who don’t. Oral appliance therapy can produce similar results, as it uses a specially-designed device to open your airway for easier nighttime breathing.
If you or a loved one has sleep apnea and memory loss, see an apnea specialist soon. They’ll help you rest more soundly and remember more smoothly!
About the Practice
Exceptional Dentistry is based in Silver Springs, MD. Led by Dr. Sara Saba and her associates, our practice specializes in chronic oral issues like sleep apnea and TMJ disorder. Such conditions can harm your smile and the rest of your body, so we take their treatment extremely seriously. That means you can always trust us to help when you struggle with sleeplessness or jaw pain! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (301)-460-3331.