People with sleep apnea are at a higher risk of dementia

People with sleep apnea are at a higher risk of dementia Today’s Video of the Day comes from the University of Queensland and features a look at a new study that links sleep apnea to an increased risk of developing dementia.

Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when a person’s upper airways collapse during sleep, which causes intermittent pauses in breathing. People with sleep apnea are at a higher risk of dementia 

Roughly 5 percent of adults suffer from sleep apnea, which makes them 3 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Common Sleep Problem Linked to Dementia. A common breathing disorder called sleep apnea, in which sleepers stop breathing hundreds of times during the night, has been linked to memory decline and dementia. The findings are important because sleep apnea may affect more than half of seniors but is a treatable condition.

Sleep Apnea Linked to Depression. The more frequently people snort, gasp, or stop breathing for short periods of time while asleep, the more likely they are to have symptoms of depression, according to a government study of nearly 10,000 adults released today. Gasping for breath causes people to wake up repeatedly, which diminishes sleep quality and causes fatigue. Sleep apnea is linked to a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

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By Rory Arnold, Earth.com Staff Writer

Video Credit: University of Queensland