Lost in Space with Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by anatomy, infection or injury. Whatever the cause, its effects can be devastating – think depression, cognitive impairment, weight gain and immune issues.

Now a new study has found a link between sleep apnea and a new deficit: spatial memory, especially the mental models we create to locate our bodies or possessions in space:

Sleep apnea may make it hard for you to remember simple things, such as where you parked your car or left your house keys, a small study suggests.

Tests on 18 people with severe sleep apnea showed that this ability — called spatial memory — was impaired when sleep apnea disrupted rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, even when other stages of sleep weren’t affected. REM sleep is the deepest level of sleep, during which dreams typically occur.

If you have found yourself growing tired and forgetful on a frequent basis, sleep apnea may be the cause. The best way to get tested and treated is to contact a Los Angeles sinus surgeon for a consultation today.