Posted on Friday, October 30th, 2020 at 8:49 pm
We already know that sleep is vital to combating a number of maladies such as stress, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and high blood pressure. And we know that sleep deprivation can increase an individual’s risk of suffering from a stroke, heart disease, and more. But recently, scientists have uncovered an alarming link between sleep deprivation and the onset of Alzheimer’s.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that people who do not get deep, healthy sleep are more susceptible to brain cell death. Sleep apnea contributes to a decline of oxygen levels in your blood as you sleep, which can contribute to brain cell death. As a result of this atrophy of the brain, dementia may become more likely to develop.
A good night’s sleep is the best thing you can do for long-term brain health, according to the Sleep Foundation. A full night of healthy, uninterrupted sleep lets your brain rest and recharge and could prevent cognitive degradation that comes with dementia. But experts warn against treating yourself to too much good sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, people who get more than nine hours of sleep each night are at a higher risk of developing dementia than those who get between six and nine. For people older than 65, the recommended amount of sleep each night is no more than eight hours.
One necessary component of a healthy sleep schedule is being in a quiet environment. If you are awoken frequently by a snoring partner – or your own snoring – you may be at a higher risk of falling victim to cognitive degradation. If snoring is a problem, you or your partner may be suffering from sleep apnea. Some warning signs to look out for are:
- Loud snoring
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Daytime fatigue or drowsiness
- Headaches upon waking up
- Moments where you stop breathing during sleep
- Waking up with a dry mouth
- Irritability
Improve Your Sleep With Silent Night Therapy
If you are struggling to get through a night without waking up or gasping for air, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Don’t wait to get help until it is too late. The sleep specialists at Silent Night Therapy are ready to help diagnose and treat your sleep disorder. Call us at (631) 983-2463 or schedule a free consultation online.