Have you wondered what sleep apnea can do to our brains, and what can we do about it? A new study published in the Journal SLEEP shows that the brains of patients with severe sleep apnea had
damaging changes as compared to those without. The study was done in Australia with patients’ brain changes observed with magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and identified significant changes in the frontal lobe white matter and in the hippocampus that are comparable to a traumatic brain injury. The patients were prescribed 6 months of continuous airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and the changes to the hippocampus were no longer significant, and the patients had their range of
brain function test performance improved as well. The study was significant as it was the largest study to date to look at brain tissue changes in sleep apnea patients. More importantly, sleep apnea should be treated as it is a serious sleep disorder that causes the throat soft tissue to collapse and block the upper airway during sleep, and the body is deprived of oxygen causing it to wake up multiple times without one noticing it unless the partner observes it.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of sleep apnea such as snoring, daytime sleepiness, irritability, and low energy, it is important to consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis early and
the underlying issue of the cause of sleep apnea. Depending on your financial situation and sleep apnea condition, the doctor will work through with you the type of sleep apnea test in the comfort of your home or an in-lab sleep test to determine the precise nature of your condition to avoid any long-term issues. Besides most insurance companies now pay for sleep testing and CPAP OSA treatment, early intervention with a sleep apnea device can stop snoring or one can a sleep apnea CPAP trial from the equipment supplier or distributor that distributes a range of sleep apnea machines and CPAP supplies for a better quality of sleep and healthier overall well-being.
The Air Station
