A great deal of talk goes on these days about dementia. I have heard that the fear of developing dementia is more prevalent and more intense than the fear of developing cancer. Just look at the over-the-counter medications that are said to improve brain health. One thing I find interesting is that growing up I do not remember anyone in my family having dementia and I do not remember any of the family of my friends having dementia. Likewise, as a young physician, I cannot remember many patients with another now common finding, sleep apnea.
Quite the segway. I do not think the incidence of sleep apnea has increased but it really was not talked about much in medical circles nor was dementia. So, what is my point here? Remember I say that everything is connected? Studies are now finding that one of the consequences of sleep apnea may be associated with the occurrence of symptomatic stroke and dementia. The common thread appears to be the increased occurrence of so-called microbleeds in the brain in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
When researchers adjusted their observations and controlled for age, weight, diabetes and high blood pressure, moderate to severe sleep apnea was an independent risk factor for microbleeds. These small bleeding episodes in the brain may not be symptomatic when they occur but the effect accumulates over time leading to dementia.
Another good reason to be studied and treated for obstructive sleep apnea. Do it today.
