Snoring Linked to Early Onset of Cognitive Impairment - East Idaho News
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Snoring Linked to Early Onset of Cognitive Impairment

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Thinkstock 041515 Snoring?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1429143654573monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Snoring can be a nuisance when you’re trying to get to sleep and your significant other is droning like a lawn mower, but a new study indicates that it could be linked to something even worse.

Researchers at New York University studied nearly 2,500 individuals between the ages of 55 and 90, and found that those with sleep-related breathing problems were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment about 10 years earlier than those without breathing problems. Mild cognitive impairment is described as having sufficient impact as to be noticeable to others, but not to impair day-to-day function.

Study participants who treated their problems with a continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP machine were diagnosed with memory problems 10 years later than those who left their breathing issues untreated.

The study also uncovered a link between sleep breathing issues and earlier onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

“People who are taking care of older individuals should be cognizant of sleep apnea,” Dr. Harneet Walia of the Cleveland Clinic said. “They should screen these individuals with sleep apnea questions.”

Ninety million Americans are affected by snoring — including 37 million on a regular basis — according to the National Sleep Foundation.


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