Canal Side Family Dental is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
The human brain is one of the most complex and amazing structures in the universe. It is the foundation of all you think, feel, and do. Sadly, though, it is also somewhat on the delicate side. Some health conditions, including sleep apnea, have the potential to damage your brain and cause memory loss. How does that happen, and is there anything you can do to protect your brain? This blog post explains.
Sleep Apnea and Memory Problems
Sleep apnea is linked to memory issues. For instance:
- A study found those with sleep apnea were diagnosed 10 years earlier with mild cognitive impairment than healthy sleepers.
- Sleep apnea increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- Memory consolidation typically occurs during sleep, and low-quality rest can disrupt this process.
Why Does Sleep Apnea Cause Memory Issues?
There are a number of reasons why sleep apnea may cause memory loss. For example, poor sleep can negatively affect the structure of your brain, including your:
- Mammillary bodies, special structures in the brain whose key role is connected to memory.
- White matter, which acts as an important communication network in your brain.
- Gray matter, which is vital for processing and interpreting information.
The overall chemistry of your brain may also be affected. For example, individuals with sleep apnea may have heightened levels of glutamate (which is vital for cognition but can be damaging at high levels) and decreased GABA (which helps to regulate chemical signals in the nervous system).
These changes in the brain may be related to the fact that sleep apnea causes breathing disruptions during sleep, which can lead to low blood oxygen levels.
What Should You Do?
Even though the brain is delicate, it is also very resilient. With proper sleep apnea treatment, there is a chance that damage caused by sleep apnea can be reversed. One study even found that after 12 months of consistent care, white matter abnormalities in patients’ brains were almost completely eliminated!
There are various options for treating sleep apnea. Some patients use a CPAP machine, which sues pressurized air to prevent pauses in breathing. However, many people find that a custom oral appliance from a dentist is a more convenient option. It gently shifts the lower jaw in order to keep the airway open during sleep.
Poor sleep can affect your brain! Try to get high-quality rest so you can keep your mind and memory sharp.
Meet the Practice
At Canal Side Family Dental, we proudly offer sleep apnea therapy as one of our many services. We custom design oral appliances that are meant to be comfortable, effective, and convenient. If you have been struggling to get enough rest, we would be pleased to consult with you. Contact our Buzzards Bay office at 508-375-3149.