Sleep Apnea And Alzheimer's Disease
   Sleep apnea is a condition that is more common in aging and dementia. Sleep apnea occurs when a
person momentarily stops breathing while still sound asleep. Because the breath
is held longer than normal, oxygen levels fall in the bloodstream. The
condition, can, in fact, be diagnosed by monitoring oxygen levels with a device
called a pulse oximeter.
What are the signs and symptoms
of sleep apnea? Excessive nighttime snoring and daytime sleepiness, despite
adequate hours asleep, are tell-tale signs [184]. Daytime sleepiness, caused by
sleep apnea, has been implicated as a cause of many auto accidents. Awakening
excessively at night to go to the bathroom is often precipitated by an episode
of sleep apnea [185]. Sleep apnea also increases mental confusion and impairs
memory, in demented and non-demented elderly [186-187]. Sleep apnea can also
raise nightime systolic blood pressure [188]. Less common effects of sleep apnea
are hallucinations, headaches, and sexual difficulties
[189].
Sleep apneas occur more frequently in alzheimer
patients than in non-demented elderly [190-191]. Episodes of sleep apnea are
also longer. Sleep apnea also becomes more severe as the underlying dementia
becomes more severe [192]. Sleep apnea can aggravate existing memory defects and
confusion in alzheimer patients. Snoring at night, a sign of sleep apnea, is
twice as prevalent in alzheimer patients as in elderly controls
[193].
Sleep apnea is relatively easy to treat, once it is
correctly diagnosed by a physician. Some patients are given special appliances
to wear to create positive airway pressure, and this positive pressure corrects
the underlying sleep apnea. Sometimes, conservative treatment can solve sleep
apnea. Avoid caffeine, since that can precipitate sleep apnea in sensitive
people. Sleeping on the back instead of the side or stomach can sometimes
alleviate a minor sleep apnea.