There are currently 5.3 million Americans living with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. In fact, every 67 seconds, someone develops the disease. Many people don't realize that Alzheimer's is the third leading cause of death in our country, and the only disease in the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. Much of today's research is focusing on prevention--and it turns out that treating sleep disorders like sleep apnea is an important component. 

The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Dementia

Several studies have confirmed that sleep dsiorders can increase your risk of developing dementia. 

The Evidence 

According to an NYU study published in the journal Neurology, sleep apnea patients develop mild cognitive impairment MCI) or dementia diagnoses as much as a decade earlier than their counterparts without sleep disturbances. They are also diagnosed with Alzheimers at a lower age. 

This study contributes to growing evidence that there is in fact a link between sleep apnea and dementia. Why does this occur? 

One possible explanation is that decreased oxygen flow when someone stops breathing during an apea causes damage to the brain. One study found that subjects who had lower oxygen levels during sleep showed more microinfarcts--tiny irregularities on the brain that precede dementia. 

The inability to sink into deep sleep that comes with sleep apnea is also damaging for mental health. The above study also found that men who spent less time in slow-wave, deep, restorative sleep had more brain atrophy than their deeply-sleeping counterparts. 

Scientists haven't concluded definitvely that sleep apnea causes dementia, but a couple things are clear: there is a link between the two conditions, and nothing about the physical and cerebral strain of sleep apnea is good for your health. 

The Good News

The NYU study indicates that use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine can reduce the likelihood of cognitive problems. In fact, people with sleep apnea who used a CPAP machine experienced mental decline no earlier than those with no sleep-disordered breathing.

Unfortunately, as many as 80% of moderate and severe cases of sleep apnea go undiagnosed. This is bad because in addition to dementia, sleep apnea is linked to a host of other medical concerns such as heart disease and diabetes. If you think you have sleep apnea, it is important to get tested for a sleep disorder so that you can begin treatment if neccesary. Your mind and body will thank you!

Does this correlation concern you? What part does sleep play in your mental health? Comment to let us know!

Photo credit: Alan Ajifo