--- title: "Sleep Apnea and Dementia: How Sleeping Saves your Brain" description: People with sleep apnea develop cognitive impairment on average 10 years earlier than others. Why is this? image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/brain-health-sleep-disorder-dementia.jpg --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## [Sleep Apnea and Dementia: How Sleeping Saves your Brain](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/sleep-apnea-and-dementia-how-sleeping-saves-your-brain) Posted by [Julia Steele Rodriguez](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/julia-steele-rodriguez) Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/julia.steele818) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasteele) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/juliasteelerod) May 16, 2015 8:00:00 AM ![brain-health-sleep-disorder-dementia](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/brain-health-sleep-disorder-dementia.jpg?width=340&name=brain-health-sleep-disorder-dementia.jpg) There are currently [5.3 million Americans](http://www.alz.org/facts/) 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](http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/sleep-apnea-linked-earlier-memory-loss-study-n342931) 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](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/what-happens-during-sleep-apnea) during an apea causes damage to the brain. [One study](http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/news/20141210/sleep-apnea-may-raise-risk-for-dementia) 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)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/equipment) 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](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/why-you-should-be-tested-for-sleep-apnea)[.](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/why-you-should-be-tested-for-sleep-apnea) This is bad because in addition to dementia, sleep apnea is linked to a host of other medical concerns such as [heart disease](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/the-link-between-sleep-apnea-and-heart-disease) and [diabetes](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/sleep-apnea-leads-to-increased-risk-of-diabetes). If you think you have sleep apnea, it is important to [get tested](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/) 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](https://www.flickr.com/photos/125992663@N02/) Topics: [Sleep Apnea](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-apnea), [Treating Sleep Apnea](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/treating-sleep-apnea) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fsleep-apnea-and-dementia-how-sleeping-saves-your-brain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fsleep-apnea-and-dementia-how-sleeping-saves-your-brain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fsleep-apnea-and-dementia-how-sleeping-saves-your-brain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fsleep-apnea-and-dementia-how-sleeping-saves-your-brain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Sleep%20Apnea%20and%20Dementia%3A%20How%20Sleeping%20Saves%20your%20Brain) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fsleep-apnea-and-dementia-how-sleeping-saves-your-brain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fsleep-apnea-and-dementia-how-sleeping-saves-your-brain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fsleep-apnea-and-dementia-how-sleeping-saves-your-brain%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - [Children and Sleep (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/children-and-sleep) - [Coffee (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/coffee) - [CPAP Alternatives (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-alternatives) - [CPAP Supplies (9)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-supplies) - [CPAP Treatment (25)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-treatment) - [Diabetes (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Doctor's Opinion (4)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/doctors-opinion) - [Economics of Sleep Medicine (15)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/economics-of-sleep-medicine) - [Good Sleep Habits (59)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/good-sleep-habits) - [Health Insurance (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/health-insurance) - [Heart Disease (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/heart-disease) - [Insomnia (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/insomnia) - [Job-Related Sleep Disorders (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/job-related-sleep-disorders) - [Kids and Sleep (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/kids-and-sleep) - [Narcolepsy (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/narcolepsy) - [Preparing for your sleep study (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-your-sleep-study) - [Sex and Sleep (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sex-and-sleep) - [Sleep and Exercise (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-exercise) - [Sleep and Society (41)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-society) - [Sleep Apnea (60)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-apnea) - [Sleep Business (3)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-business) - [Sleep Disorders (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-disorders) - [Sleep Studies (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-studies) - [Telemedicine (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/telemedicine) - [Treating Sleep Apnea (29)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/treating-sleep-apnea) - [Women and Sleep (14)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/women-and-sleep) ### Most viewed posts ### Recent Posts **Contact Us:** Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc. Corporate Office 17835 Ventura Blvd. Suite 300 Encino, CA 91316 Phone (877) 775-3377 Fax (877) 855-6227  [info@sleepdr.com](mailto:info@sleepdr.com) ## **Top Links:** [Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/frequently-asked-questions)[Download Service Request Form (Rx) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/service_request_form)[Request medical records ](http://www.sleepdr.com/request-medical-records)[See a complete list of locations ](http://www.sleepdr.com/locations)[Schedule an appointment ](http://www.sleepdr.com/schedule)[Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog)[Contact us](http://www.sleepdr.com/contact) **About Us:** Our mission is to empower sufferers of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, to lead more fulfilling lives by improving their sleep. We believe that by caring for and educating our patients and diagnosing and treating their sleep disorders we can help them achieve better health. With 20 locations across California, we are the leading provider of in-center and in-home (HST) sleep studies, PAP therapeutic devices, and replacement PAP supplies. We are contracted with more than 300 medical groups and commercial health plans. We partner with independent physicians who are at the forefront of the field of sleep medicine and together we provide high-quality, affordable, result-oriented and patient-centric diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services. 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