Wake Up, New York: The Surprising Link Between Sleep Apnea and Brain Health

I fought it for the longest time but I'm so happy that I finally gave in. I have sleep apnea but I didn't want to get a CPAP machine. It was one of the best things that I've ever done because I sleep better, and feel more rested. My family is happy because I'm not keeping everyone up with my loud snoring.

It turns out that there are even more health benefits that I even knew about. University of California, Irvine neurobiologists have discovered a connection between obstructive sleep apnea during the rapid-eye-movement (REM) stage of sleep and early brain changes associated with cognitive decline.

The Lowdown on Sleep Apnea

So, what is obstructive sleep apnea? It’s when your throat muscles slack off during snooze time, causing you to wake up many times to catch your breath - I remember those nights. This pattern messes with oxygen levels and can harm tiny blood vessels in your brain.

Insights from the Study

The study, backed by the National Institutes of Health, revealed that low oxygen levels during REM sleep could be linked to brain damage, even in older adults without cognitive issues. I'm so glad that I finally gave in and got a CPAP machine.

The Sleep-Memory Connection

They found that lower oxygen levels during REM sleep were tied to higher white matter hyperintensities in the brain regions responsible for memory. This damage was connected to thinning in a brain area crucial for memory – the entorhinal cortex. Hello, potential memory troubles.

Mind the Diagnosis and Treatment

So, if you thought your mild snoring was no big deal, think again! The study suggests that even those with mild sleep apnea may experience drops in oxygen during REM sleep, affecting brain health.

If you know that you have sleep apnea, do whatever it takes to fix it. There are many someone's that will miss you if your not here...and your family will sleep easier too. Below are top 10 New York cities that you are most likely to sleepwalk. I have to admit that #1 surprised me, although I'm not sure why.