If you hadn’t had a good night’s rest, then you might know how your mind can be affected. You might have trouble focusing, staying alert, or even saying coherent thoughts! This is the truth for many patients with sleep apnea, but this condition can also affect your memory over time. Here’s what you need to know about these two things and what your dentist can do to help.
What’s Sleep Apnea Again?
Before diving into how sleep apnea can impact your brain health and memory, it’s important to get a good understanding of this disorder. In short, it’s when a person stops breathing multiple times during the night.
It’s commonly caused by the muscles in the throat relaxing and blocking the airways, which is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Those with this condition might experience daytime drowsiness, increased irritability, or loud snoring, to name a few.
How Is Sleep Apnea Linked to Memory Loss?
As this disorder goes untreated, a person might accumulate more and more sleep debt. They might be more groggy than normal, but this can affect their brain over time. A recent study found that those with OSA often had an earlier onset of cognitive impairment compared to those who don’t.
In fact, researchers at UCLA found that mammillary bodies (the brain structures responsible for memory storage) were nearly 20% smaller in those with sleep apnea compared to those without.
Another study in the Sleep journal also discovered a decrease in gray and white matter in the brains of those with OSA. So, poor quality rest led to progressive damage, and thus poor memory and trouble regulating emotions.
What Can I Do to Treat My Sleep Apnea?
Since getting good, quality rest is important for your overall well-being, you might wonder how you can treat sleep apnea. Thankfully, your dentist is here to help!
CPAP machines may be recommended for some, but your oral healthcare provider might be able to offer you a specialized oral appliance instead. This custom device will gently shift your jaw forward while you sleep; that way, your airways stay open, and you can breathe during the night without worry of obstructions.
No matter what, your dentist is here for you. By getting you a diagnosis, they can get you toward the next steps you need to know for the undisturbed slumber you deserve.
About the Practice
At Beck Dental Care of Columbia, our team is here to help the local community with their sleep apnea symptoms. Led by compassionate dentists, we can help you find out if you have this condition and then offer reliable solutions for it, such as an oral appliance. That way, you can improve your overall health in the long run. If you or your loved one has this disorder, schedule an appointment or call our office at (931) 416–3698.