Many of us now consider a poor night’s sleep the norm, whether because of chronic overscheduling, exposure to blue light at night, or some other medical issue. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation can have consequences beyond an additional mug of coffee. In fact, research suggests that chronic sleep deprivation may be harmful to brain health. There is help you can get for sleep apnea in Las Vegas.

The Effects of Sleep Apnea on Brain Function

A common sleep disorder, sleep apnea causes brief interruptions in breathing throughout the night. Oxygen deprivation is possible due to the frequent pauses in breathing that occur during sleep. These could be sleep apnea symptoms if you snore loudly, breathe frequently during sleep, and experience extreme daytime fatigue.

But let’s discuss how this condition affects your intellect. Brain biomarkers linked to an increased risk of illnesses, including stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive impairment, were found in an investigation released in the journal Neurology that found that persons with sleep apnea who spent less time in deep sleep had these issues. These biomarkers indicate the health of the brain’s white matter, which is responsible for connecting various brain regions.

White matter hyperintensities, which are minute lesions visible on brain imaging, are one of these biomarkers. These become more prevalent with age or uncontrolled hypertension. A second biomarker assesses the integrity of axons, the fibers that link cells in the brain.

The average age of the patients in the trial was 73, and they all suffered from obstructive sleep apnea. They did not have any cognitive problems when the study began. There was a rise in the percentage of white matter hyperintensities that corresponded to the impact of being 2.3% older for every 10-point decrease in the amount of slow-wave sleep achieved. This similar decline was also related to reduced axonal integrity, comparable to the effect that three additional years of age would have. In other words, the participants’ brains displayed more signs of aging and cognitive impairment proportionate to the amount of time they spent in deep sleep.

How Treatment with an Oral Appliance Can Help You Get a Better Night’s Sleep

This new research raises an essential question: Could improving sleep quality or treating sleep apnea impact the natural progression of these particular brain biomarkers?

You will get the deep, rejuvenating sleep you want if you improve your airflow while you’re sleeping, which will also cut down on the amount of snoring you do and the number of times your breathing is disturbed.