Sleep apnea and risk of dementia are more common in women: “There are big diagnostic errors”

sleep apnea may contribute to the development of dementia in adults. This statement will be better understood if we consider that “apnea affects not only the quality of sleep, but also its structure,” according to Dr. Ana Fernandez ArcosCoordinator of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN).

This statement is also the conclusion of a recent study conducted by Michigan Medicine and published in the journal DREAM Achievementswhich states not only that apnea contributes to dementia, but also that women are more likely to develop it. This is the result of various surveys and cognitive tests involving more than 18,500 adults.

“We know that people with sleep apnea greater sleep fragmentation and lower percentage of slow wave sleep“, says the expert in an interview with ConSalud.es. The latter is important “for maintaining the brain, not only at a structural level, but also for eliminating toxins or substances that may be toxic to the brain,” he points out.

“Women with known or suspected sleep apnea are more likely than men to be diagnosed with dementia.”

Therefore, according to the neurologist, “people with sleep apnea have a greater risk of developing dementia earlier.” And if we’re talking about all age levels, the study says that “women with known or suspected sleep apnea are more likely than men to be diagnosed with dementia.” Moreover, this work also states that diagnosis rates have decreased among men and increases in women with age.

It is true that “efforts must be made to diagnose men” who may be more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. But “we must not leave behind,” the neurologist emphasizes, “all those women who may have symptoms and who in some cases are confused with insomnia.” “There are big diagnostic errors,” he says.

As explained in work published in DREAM AchievementsWhen women go through menopause, estrogen levels decrease and therefore this can affect their brain. That’s right, Menopause can lead to mental confusionThe SEN expert says he concludes it is insomnia when it could be apnea.

“Sleep apnea increases significantly after menopause but remains underdiagnosed.”

On the other hand, the study shows that “sleep apnea increases significantly after menopause but remains underdiagnosed.” Therefore, the researchers explain, “we need more epidemiological studies to better understand how sleep disturbances in women affect their cognitive health.”

MORE RESEARCH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

“More research in young people is also needed,” says the coordinator of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Research Group. And the ideal would be to “identify sleep apnea in young people.” before changes occur in the brain“, notes the expert.

In this regard, the neurologist reminds that “there are factors, such as age, gender or some genetic characteristics, that cannot change the risk of developing dementia.” However, other types of factors may also influence this.”such as diet, exercise or avoiding toxins such as alcohol, where one could also enter good sleep hygiene“, he states. “It is very important to have good brain health, and one of its main pillars is adequate sleep,” he concludes.