Could memory loss be caused by sleep apnea?
Many people think memory issues are part of aging. But is your snoring and forgetfulness caused by age — or sleep apnea? If you feel tired and/or sleepy all the time, or if you've been told you snore or stop breathing during your sleep, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be the cause. But there's good news: forgetfulness caused by sleep apnea can be reversed!
Key takeaways
- Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can cause measurable damage to multiple areas of the brain, affecting memory, learning and recognition.
- Memory loss caused by sleep apnea can be reversed — after one year of CPAP therapy, one study saw an almost complete reversal of white-matter brain abnormalities.
- CPAP also improves mood, alertness and quality of life, and lowers the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- The first step is a simple home sleep test — book a free evaluation to find out if testing is right for you.
How does sleep apnea cause snoring?
Snoring is the sound that is made when you try to breathe in while your airway is obstructed. Some people with sleep apnea may make a choking or gasping sound, while others experience silent breathing pauses as they try to inhale. The common factor is that oxygen isn't getting through to the brain. Here's what happens:
- The airway becomes blocked (obstructed) during sleep, which causes a pause in breathing.
- When we stop breathing our oxygen levels drop, which triggers the brain to tell us to wake up and breathe.
- However, we don't wake up completely (these sleep interruptions are called "micro-arousals").
It's these micro-arousals that disrupt our sleep architecture and cause us to wake up in the morning feeling as if we haven't slept a wink.
The surprising connection between sleep apnea and memory loss
According to a study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in 2017, people with severe, untreated sleep apnea had significant damage in multiple areas of the brain. In an analysis of 42 studies comparing 2,294 adults with untreated OSA and 1,364 adults who were healthy,¹ the authors found people with sleep apnea experienced problems with:
- Immediate recall ("What did my doctor just tell me?")
- Delayed recall ("Who phoned this morning?")
- Learning ("I just can't get the hang of it!")
- Recognition ("Right! I remember him — we met before!")
Are there other causes of reversible memory loss?
According to the Mayo Clinic, other possible causes of reversible memory loss include:
- Medications. Certain medications or a combination of medications can cause forgetfulness or confusion.
- Minor head trauma or injury. A head injury from a fall or accident — even if you don't lose consciousness — can cause memory problems.
- Emotional disorders. Stress, anxiety or depression can cause forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating and other problems that disrupt daily activities.
- Alcoholism. Chronic alcoholism can seriously impair mental abilities. Alcohol can also cause memory loss by interacting with medications.
- Vitamin B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B-12 helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. A vitamin B-12 deficiency — common in older adults — can cause memory problems.
- Hypothyroidism. An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) can result in forgetfulness and other thinking problems.
- Brain diseases. A tumor or infection in the brain can cause memory problems or other dementia-like symptoms.
Can CPAP treatment reverse brain damage?
Yes — but you need to stick with the program. In the 2017 study from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine,² only limited improvements were seen after three months of treatment with CPAP. However, after just one year, CPAP therapy led to an almost complete reversal of white matter (brain) abnormalities.
According to the Academy, "Treatment also produced significant improvements in nearly all cognitive tests, mood, alertness and quality of life." All of that without medication — and with the added benefit of getting a restful night's sleep!
Book a free assessment →If I have sleep apnea, are there other benefits of CPAP treatment?
The benefits of CPAP treatment go far beyond reversing memory loss. According to Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler², President of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (2017), "Obstructive sleep apnea is a destructive disease that can ruin your health and increase your risk of death," creating health hazards that include high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Through treatment with CPAP, all of these hazards can be reduced. Now, that's information worth remembering!
Overcome memory problems caused by sleep apnea
The first step is to get tested for sleep apnea. If you have OSA symptoms and feel that your sleep is not restful, it's important to talk to your doctor about it. Apnée Santé offers simple, fast and effective home testing. You can also contact us for a free evaluation to see if sleep testing is right for you.
Here's a checklist to review with your doctor for signs of sleep apnea:
- Loud snoring
- Occasionally waking up feeling that you're choking or gasping
- Restless sleep
- A sore or dry throat in the morning
- A headache in the morning
- Sleepiness, low energy or fatigue during the day
- Feeling sleepy behind the wheel
- Weight gain
- Erectile dysfunction
- Forgetfulness, mood changes, and a decreased interest in sex
References
Wallace A, Bucks RS. SLEEP 2013;36(2):203–220. Accessed at aasm.org/brain-damage-caused-by-severe-sleep-apnea-is-reversible on Aug. 7, 2019.
Frequently asked questions
Can sleep apnea cause memory loss?
Yes. Severe, untreated obstructive sleep apnea can cause significant damage to multiple areas of the brain, leading to problems with immediate recall, delayed recall, learning and recognition. The good news is that memory loss caused by sleep apnea can often be reversed.
Can CPAP treatment reverse the brain damage from sleep apnea?
Yes, but consistency matters. In a 2017 American Academy of Sleep Medicine study, only limited improvement was seen after three months of CPAP, but after one year therapy led to an almost complete reversal of white-matter brain abnormalities, along with improvements in cognition, mood, alertness and quality of life.
What are the warning signs of sleep apnea to review with my doctor?
Watch for loud snoring; waking up choking or gasping; restless sleep; a sore or dry throat in the morning; morning headaches; daytime sleepiness or fatigue; feeling sleepy behind the wheel; weight gain; erectile dysfunction; and forgetfulness, mood changes or decreased interest in sex.
What other conditions can cause reversible memory loss?
According to the Mayo Clinic, reversible memory loss can also be caused by certain medications, minor head trauma, emotional disorders such as stress or depression, chronic alcoholism, vitamin B-12 deficiency, hypothyroidism, and brain diseases such as tumors or infections.
How do I get tested for sleep apnea?
The first step is a simple home sleep test. Apnée Santé offers fast, effective home testing — you can contact us for a free evaluation to see if sleep testing is right for you.
Worried about your memory and your sleep?
Forgetfulness caused by sleep apnea can be reversed. The first step is a simple home sleep test — book a free evaluation today.
Book a free assessment →Apnée Santé provides this online information for education and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published on this website is not intended to replace a consultation with a physician regarding your medical care. Apnée Santé disclaims any and all liability for injury or other damage that could result from the use of information obtained from this site.
