The Link Between OSA and Memory Issues
If you have obstructed sleep apnea, also known as OSA (or suspect you have it), and have not yet started treatment for it, you are at risk for many health issues. They include cardiovascular issues, memory retention problems, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Keep reading to learn more about how OSA is affecting your memory and how sleep apnea treatment will help you live a healthier overall life.
Understanding Sleep Stages
There are four sleep stages, including one for rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and three that form non-REM (NREM) sleep. These stages are determined based on an analysis of brain activity during sleep, which shows distinct patterns that characterize each stage.
The breakdown of a person’s sleep into various cycles and stages is commonly referred to as sleep architecture. If someone undergoes a sleep study, their sleep architecture can be represented visually in a hypnogram or graph.
A sleep study is one of the main ways to diagnose sleep apnea. This is because, with sleep apnea, sleep is constantly interrupted. These interruptions can be seen on the graph.
Can OSA Cause Memory Issues?
Sleep apnea can frequently disrupt the REM stage of sleep. This is the stage of sleep responsible for dreaming, memory retention, and getting rid of unimportant information. When this stage of sleep is consistently interrupted due to sleep apnea, the individual will not be able to properly retain information. They will also not be able to reach the other stages of sleep as frequently, which are also important in retaining memories and information.
How to Reduce the Risk of Memory Issues with OSA
If you have OSA, it is important to seek treatment and reduce the risk of health complications, including memory issues, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and many more.
The most common way people receive treatment for OSA is through a CPAP machine, although this isn’t always the best treatment method. CPAP machines are bulky, loud, uncomfortable, and require a lifetime commitment.
The Vivos Method for sleep apnea, including severe OSA, can treat sleep apnea at its source in about 12 months and does not require the use of a dangerous CPAP machine. Advanced Sleep and TMJ Solutions is proud to be one of only a few dental offices in our area that is able to prescribe this service.
OSA Treatment with Advanced Sleep and TMJ Solutions
Once you have received your sleep apnea diagnosis, our Vivos-trained dentists are happy to help you on your journey to better sleep and reduced risk of severe health complications.
Dr. Krissy Connor received her BSN in 2001 at the Marquette University School of Nursing. She was an emergency room nurse at Aurora Sinai Medical Center for 3 years before attending the Marquette University School of Dentistry to receive her DDS degree in 2008. She completed a post-graduate residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. She has been collaborating with physicians to treat patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea using oral appliance therapy since 2014.
Dr. Connor’s Advance Sleep and TMJ Solutions have been helping people overcome sleep apnea for over 10 years without CPAP, Surgery or medications. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy.
Learn more at advancedsleepandtmjsolutions.com!
