Sleep Apnea Doubles Risk of Dementia

University of California - San Francisco researchers alert people about sleep disorder

A new study reveals people who have the common sleep disorder have twice the risk of developing dementia.

This study appears to validate sleep experts long time belief that sleep apnea can restrain the brain of oxygen to cause deterioration in cognitive ability.

According to Dr. Kristine Yaffe, lead researcher, professor of psychiatry, neurology and epidemiology, the study is the first to demonstrate that sleep apnea could result in cognitive impairment. She further notes the study does advocate that there is a biological association between sleep and cognition.

The study consisted of 298 women over the age of 65, none of which had dementia five years prior when tested. Scientists had checked the cognitive ability and discovered 32.5% of the women had dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The risk for cognitive impairment was nearly twice as high in those

Reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, even though this study had only women participants it is likely the same results would apply to men.

There is good news however, for those with sleep apnea receiving treatment may aide in the prevention or delay of dementia.

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you are sleeping. These pauses can last a couple of seconds to a few minutes. Most of the time they occur five to thirty times or more in one hour. Most times, normal breathing starts up again. Sometimes with a loud snort or chocking sound.

Conventional treatment of sleep apnea includes lifestyle changes, mouth pieces and CPAP machine. The machine uses a mask that fits over your mouth and nose or just nose. The machine gently blows air into the throat.

Dr. Marci Teresi, clinic lead of the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Memory Clinic, had related to Chronicle she has lots of patients that struggle with the mask due to the fact it can be uncomfortable, so patients stop using it.

There are alternative therapies in which have been used, a few of them are:

Chiropractic

Chiropractic manipulations could provide some relief to those enduring sleep apnea.

Spinal manipulations could improve muscle functioning in the chest wall which in turn aides you in breathing more easily and boost the oxygenation of your blood while you sleep. Also, chiropractic manipulations could decrease pain and restlessness. It also improves the reflexes of the spinal cord which control blood flow.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture over a period of time can correct the imbalances that are causing sleep apnea and decrease any side effects. Those persons who have used acupuncture treatments have noted having greater well being and health improvements.

Once you start to use acupuncture your sleep will improve slowly. It is also noted that during treatments do not consume caffeine, decrease stress hormones and daily routine and diet should be adjusted.

Reflexology

Reflexology may aide in decreasing or eliminating sleep problems. Reflexology provides deep relaxation to the nervous system, relieving stress and balancing the body's natural rhythms like circadian rhythm that regulates sleep. It improves the circulation which allows better nerve, brain and organ functions.