Every day, new information emerges shedding light on the crucial function that sleep plays in maintaining overall health. There may be a connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, according to findings from recent research. If you have any reason to believe that you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, you should get checked out and get treatment as soon as possible. This is not the first study to find a connection between breathing disorders and the health of the brain, but it is a powerful indication that you should do so.
The condition known as obstructive sleep apnea is a respiratory issue that can cause a person to stop breathing while they are sleeping, whereas Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain illness that can affect memory as well as other cognitive skills. Both of these illnesses are problematic on their own, but the possibility of a connection causes health professionals to express alarm. Indicators of sleep apnea can also be seen in a variety of other conditions that pose a significant risk to one’s life, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease. It is interesting to note that Sleep Apnea is simple to detect, and its treatment is simple and successful. As a result, treating sleep apnea is one of the greatest and easiest things you can do for your long-term health, lifespan, and maybe memory.
The Relationship Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Sleep Apnea
In a study including 228 adults over the age of 65, the researchers tracked the levels of tau protein in their blood, which is known to have a role in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. During the course of the trial, participants’ bed companions were advised to keep an eye out for any symptoms of sleep apnea exhibited by their sleeping companion. Because of the sleep problem, the individual will cease breathing while they are sleeping. Depending on the severity of the illness, this may take place anywhere from a few times each hour to hundreds of times during the night.
43 individuals’ bed companions indicated that they suffered from the sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. In addition, the researchers found that the levels of tau protein in the brain of those 43 people were 4.5 percent greater than the levels seen in the persons who did not have apnea.
The buildup of tau is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease; therefore, an increase in tau gives rise to the fear that sleep apnea may render those with sleep apnea more susceptible to developing Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings of the pilot study point to the existence of a connection between sleep apnea and the amounts of tau found in the brain. Despite the fact that experts are still attempting to figure out whether problem arises first, sleep apnea or tau proteins, the answer is still unknown. If you suspect that you could be having sleep problems, however, you shouldn’t wait for additional information; instead, you should make an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible to find out whether or not you are in fact having sleep problems.
Understanding How to Diagnose Obstructive Sleep Apnea to Improve Your Health
We are all aware of how vital it is to obtain a sufficient amount of rest. It is necessary for maintaining concentration as well as one’s health and overall well-being. A person’s quality of life can be negatively impacted by sleep apnea, which also has a substantial influence on a person’s future health and fitness. A variety of health issues, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease, have been related to insufficient amounts of sleep.
Unfortunately, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is considerably under-diagnosed, and people who have it may not even be aware that there is a problem with their breathing while they sleep. Complaints about snoring made by a person’s bed partner are frequently the first sign that the person in question has this sleep condition.
How then can you determine whether or not you have been living with undetected obstructive sleep apnea all this time? In most cases, if you are experiencing trouble sleeping, you will become aware of the symptoms rather fast. There is a possibility that you may have a more difficult time concentrating or staying awake during the day, as well as a reduction in both your mood and your general health. Snoring and genetics are the two most reliable indicators of this condition. You have an increased risk of developing sleep apnea if one or both of your parents snore or have been diagnosed with the condition.
Treating sleep apnea in order to improve the health of the brain
The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is now the gold standard for treating sleep apnea in the majority of patients. It provides a steady flow of air that a person may breathe without having to wake up to adjust their breathing while they are sleeping.
Not only does this prevent snoring, which bed mates will undoubtedly be grateful for, but it also helps to reduce the severity of many of the adverse health effects that are associated with obstructive sleep apnea. According to the findings of one study, the damage to white matter fibres that is caused by sleep apnea can be completely restored in as little as a year when the patient uses CPAP therapy.
Patients must consistently use their CPAP devices in order to get any benefit from the treatment. Patients who suffer from sleep apnea won’t see much of an improvement in their condition if they simply use the device on an ad hoc basis or for less than four hours each night. Patients who follow the instructions for using the device properly can see a significant improvement in their quality of life.
A sleep study can help establish what steps you should take to address the difficulties if you are experiencing symptoms of sleep deprivation, such as having trouble breathing or snoring loudly, or if your spouse has noticed these symptoms in you.
You can get your health back on track and explore effective solutions to any sleep disorders that may be affecting your health and overall well-being by scheduling an evaluation with Air Liquide Healthcare to see if you are a candidate for a sleep study. Air Liquide Healthcare can help you get your health back on track.
More to read: The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Gout
