Did you know that sleep apnea increases risk for heart attack and depression? A recent study also connects sleep apnea to dementia in elderly females who experience 15 or more sleep apnea episodes per hour.

Sleep apnea is a lapse in breath during sleep. The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive, or OSA. When we sleep, jaw muscles relax. The lower jaw can move slightly backward, allowing soft tissues in the throat and mouth to completely block breathing. Partial blockage often causes snoring – the sound of vibrating soft tissues in the mouth. While not all snorers have OSA, snoring is a symptom of the condition. Continue reading “Sleep Apnea Linked to Dementia” →