How Sleep Apnea Harms Brain Cells

An important new study may have found a reason to explain the strong correlation between sleep apnea and a host of health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and impaired memory. Using an unusual test to measure blood flow to the brain, researchers discovered that weaker flow could account for the sort of damage that causes these symptoms:

“This study brings us closer to understanding what causes the problems in the brain of people with sleep apnea,” concluded Macey.

The study also found the problem is greater in women with sleep apnea, which may explain the worse apnea-related outcomes in females than males. Studies recently published by the UCLA School of Nursing have shown that brain injury from sleep apnea is much worse in women than men.

Weak blood flow to the brain can lead to temporary impairment as well as permanent damage: all the more reason to sound the alarm if you or your partner awakes several times a night gasping for breath.

Procedures such as septoplasty and turbinate reduction surgery can help in relieving sleep apnea, but the only way to know for sure whether you’re a candidate is to contact a Los Angeles sinus surgeon today.

Tags: blood flow, los angeles sinus surgeon, septoplasty, sleep apnea, studies, turbinate reduction