Your sleep patterns may provide a window into brain health and dementia risk, as studies have found that people who sleep little – six hours or less – are at an increased risk of developing dementia. dementiaAnd other research has shown that more sleep is also linked to a higher risk of dementia bestlifeonline.
Other sleep characteristics, such as when you go to bed and wake up, whether you have sleep apnea, and the total time you spend in bed, can provide insight into your likelihood of developing dementia.
According to a new study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine Journal Recurring nightmares may also be an indicator of future cognitive decline.
The researchers looked at the relationship between the frequency of nightmares and the risk of dementia in middle-aged and older adults, and found that both men and women who had weekly nightmares were at significantly increased risk.
Although both men and women who had frequent nightmares had an increased risk of dementia, the researchers found that the association was much stronger in men than in women.
Older men who had nightmares each week were five times more likely to develop dementia than older men who did not report bad dreams.
Bad dreams do not necessarily mean that you will develop dementia, but researchers believe that tracking recurrent nightmares can lead to an early diagnosis of dementia patients.
There are 55 million people living with dementia worldwide, experts say, and that number is expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades.
Although there is no cure for dementia, early diagnosis has many benefits, including improved quality of life, more effective treatments, and the opportunity to make important decisions regarding your health care.
That’s why it’s helpful to know the signs that you may be at increased risk of dementia, including symptoms that may occur while you sleep.
