Sleep apnea is a common medical condition that causes breathing interruptions, called apnea events, during sleep.
With proper treatment, sleep apnea-related brain damage is reversible.
Sleep apnea can only be definitively diagnosed with asleep study, also known as an overnightpolysomnogram.
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CPAP therapyhas been shown to help in the partial or complete reversal of neurocognitive impairments in people with OSA.
Untreated sleep apnea is associated with a higher risk of developingAlzheimers disease.
Untreated sleep apnea can cause serious health complications, including brain damage and memory loss.
Untreated OSA is associated with cognitive impairments and problems with mood, memory, and alertness.
A Word From Verywell
Many people do not realize they have sleep apnea.
you could reduce the health risks of sleep apnea by getting treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious and potentially fatal health complications.
These may include heart failure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers.
Sleep apnea is a chronic condition, so there is no single cure.
However, sleep apnea can be effectively managed and treated.
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American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Treating sleep apnea reverses brain damage.
2021;11(12):180. doi:10.3390/bs11120180
American Sleep Apnea Association.The importance of sleep and understanding sleep stages.
Palomares JA, Tummala S, Wang DJ, et.
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Sleep apnea.
Sleep Foundation.How does a sleep study work?
Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Understanding PAP.
doi:10.1093/sleep/zsaa195
Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Risk factors.
Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine.Nonsurgical treatments.
