2023-04-22 13:00:00
1 to 3 million people, or 2 to 5% of the adult population, suffer from obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea in France, according to the High Authority of Health (HAS). The National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) estimates that at least 30% of people over 65 are affected by this syndrome. The percentages are lower for the younger age groups: 7.9% of 20-44 year olds and 19.7% among 45-64 year olds.
Symptoms associated with sleep apnea
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea have repeated and uncontrolled interruptions in breathing during the night. In detail, it is the airway at the level of the pharynx which closes for 10 to 30 seconds, or sometimes more, at the rate of at least five events per hour of sleep.
Thus, without being aware of it, patients have micro-awakenings during the night because their brain triggers a reflex neurological system to breathe. But it disrupts their sleep and affects their daily lives. According l’National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), these are snoring, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disorders, premature death or even daytime sleepiness.
According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in sleep, the side effects of sleep apnea might be greater. Indeed, they believe that affected patients might also suffer from symptoms such as reduced vigilance, different forms of memory – social, emotional and short-term visual recognition – and would also suffer from cognitive disorders.
To arrive at these results, the scientists studied a group of 27 men between the ages of 35 and 70 who suffered from untreated mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea. None had any comorbidity or history.
Cognitive impairment even for mild sleep apnea
Through various analyses, such as the results of breathing tests carried out at home or those carried out in a sleep centre, the researchers thus observed that patients suffering from sleep apnea with a severe form had a decrease in alertness and different forms of memories (social, emotional and short-term visual recognition).
All patients with sleep apnea also had cognitive impairment. This was also the case in those who had mild forms, less significantly but still superior to people in the control group who did not suffer from this syndrome.
The ideal, when a person suffers from sleep apnea, is to wear a mask at night, connected to a machine. This device allows the continuous administration of air to avoid the closure of the pharynx, to allow good oxygenation of the brain and potentially avoid the harmful effects of this syndrome.
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