As a dentist treating sleep apnea patients in Columbus I hear stories about disrupted sleep every day. New research appears to link sleep disruption with an increased risk for memory problems and even Alzheimer’s disease.

According to study author Dr. Yo-El Ju “Disrupted sleep appears to be associated with the build up of amyloid plaques, a hallmark marker of Alzheimer’s disease, in the brains of people without memory problems. Further research is needed to determine why this is happening and whether sleep changes may predict cognitive decline.”

The researchers monitored patients sleep for two weeks and assessed brain health. One fourth of the study participants showed signs of amyloid plaques. The study participants who did not wake frequently during the night were 5 times less likely to have the plaque build up.

Disruptions to our nightly sleep can be caused by many things: dogs barking, babies crying, insomnia, snoring partners and obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep breathing disorder that causes the airway to collapse during sleep, stopping the flow of air. The sleeper briefly wakens with a gasp and then returns to sleep. The bed partner of the sleep apnea sufferer also has their sleep disrupted by the snoring and gasping but does not immediately return to sleep. Both partners have disrupted sleep with all of the health consequences that go along with it.

If you think you or your partner may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea please contact StoneRidge Dental Care to find out about your options for diagnosis and treatment. Oral appliances available from sleep medicine dentist Dr. Mark Levy can help you breath easily all night. Please call us today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your consultation.