“We know there is injury to the brain from sleep apnea, and we also know that the heart has problems pumping blood to the body and potentially also to the brain. By using this method, we were able to show changes in the amount of oxygenated blood across the whole brain, which could be one cause of the damage we see in people with sleep apnea” Paul Macey, associate dean for Information Technology and Innovations at the UCLA School of Nursing and lead researcher for the study.
The Study Method
To measure blood flow in the brain using a non-invasive MRI procedure which is usually used to observe brain activity. Previous research showed that poor regulation of blood in the brain might be a problem for people with sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep, hundreds of times a night. Each time breathing stops, the oxygen level in the blood drops, which damages many cells in the body. If left untreated, it can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, diabetes, depression and other serious health problems. Approximately 10 percent of adults struggle with obstructive sleep apnea, which is accompanied by symptoms of brain dysfunction, including extreme daytime sleepiness, depression and anxiety, and memory problems.
What causes Sleep Apnea
The most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea is excess weight and obesity, which is associated with soft tissue of the mouth and throat. During sleep, when throat and tongue muscles are more relaxed, this soft tissue can cause the airway to become blocked. Other causes can include large tonsils or adenoids, chronic sinusitis, supine (flat on back) sleeping, smoking, family history, large overbite, menopause or a large neck circumference.
Research into Obstuctive sleep Apnea is constant as more and more people are feeling fatigued, stressed and you are snoring. If you are ever in doubt, contact your doctor and he will be able to assist you in finding a sleep study in your area. Cpap Essentials will provide you with the best prices for your Cpap machine.
