Sleep Apnea And Memory Loss-Are They Related?

Can sleep apnea and memory loss be connected?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person stops breathing for more than 10 seconds during sleep. As we all know lack of sleep leads to many problems like lack of concentration, fatigue, lethargy, stress, and memory loss.

This article focuses on memory loss and sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea patients stop breathing for very short periods of time while sleeping, and start again only after waking up and inhaling oxygen. As this happens so frequently during the night, sufferers are unable to benefit from sound sleep and this results in a lack of concentration and difficulty in remembering things.

Today’s research has shown that lack of sleep is not the reason for memory loss, but it is the resulting damage of brain tissues which leads to memory loss. Hence, memory loss and sleep apnea are related in some way.

What causes the brain tissue to get damaged? During sleep apnea air flow becomes restricted, and if you suffer multiple apneas during the night brain tissues get destroyed. It’s also been shown that even after receiving proper treatment for sleep apnea sufferers still experience memory loss. This is because it’s very difficult for damaged brain tissue to recover.

There are small brain structures on the underside of the brain known as mammillary bodies, these tissues are responsible for our memory, however research has shown these mammillary bodies are 20% smaller in sleep apnea patients since this area of the brain is where tissues have been damaged.

During sleep apnea blood vessels in the brain narrow resulting in a lack of oxygen. The result of this is that some of the brain cells are killed off. Continuous bouts of sleep apnea lead to further damage of brain cells. This indicates that memory loss and sleep apnea are related.

Some treatments to help memory loss and sleep apnea include taking Vitamin B1 or thiamine as its also known. Research has shown that taking this can help recovering alcoholics suffering from memory loss.

Vitamin B1 helps to recover dead tissues and enables the brain to use them again. It also sends glucose to the brain cells which prevents them from dying from lack of oxygen. Vitamin B1 can be found in wholemeal bread, cereals and pasta, as well as brown rice and most green vegetables.

The use of a CPAP machine (continuous positive air pressure) can help stop sleep apnea and the damage it can do to your brain cells. A mask is fitted over the nose which in turn is connected to a machine. This machine pumps air in the mask and keeps the airways open.

Smoking, drinking alcohol or taking sedatives before sleeping can cause snoring and lead to sleep apnea. This is due to the fact that muscles in the throat become relaxed and flop down causing partial blockage in the airways.

So in conclusion memory loss and sleep apnea can be related if you are experiencing frequent bouts of sleep apnea. Taking action and treating this potentially fatal sleep disorder as soon as you are aware you are suffering from it can prevent any future damage to brain cells and memory loss.

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