The Big Picture: Dr. Puja Uppal says, “Sharp brains need good rest!”
Doctor’s Expert Insights About Poor Cognitive Function & Your Sleep Health in Georgia
Know this: “Here’s the thing, we know that good sleep has a very large positive impact on our overall health. People with sleep apnea or those who have undiagnosed sleep apnea face further challenges. Poor sleep impacts brain health. Obstructive sleep apnea, characterized by breathing interruptions during sleep, not only ruins sleep quality–it’s also clearly linked to decreased cognitive functions and worsened heart health. If you or your loved ones constantly find that you’re not getting a good night of restful sleep, it may be time to talk to your healthcare team about sleep apnea. Good sleep health is a key factor in cognitive well-being and aging gracefully.” Dr. Shelandra Bell, Family Medicine.
Beyond the news: A greater emphasis on sleep studies in clinical settings and the development of tailored interventions to improve sleep quality are something public health policies and awareness campaigns must focus on.
Health Alert for Atlanta
Key Drivers in DeKalb County:
The study shows a link between better sleep consolidation and the absence of obstructive sleep apnea with improved cognitive function. Good sleep and managed sleep apnea can lead to increased attention and processing speed.
This study highlights the detrimental effects of fragmented sleep on cognitive abilities.
What they’re saying: “This study’s finding of an association between mild OSA and poorer cognition in persons who did not present to a sleep clinic is an important observation. Persons with OSA diagnosed based on incidental findings compared with patients referred clinically for PSG may differ across several characteristics, including comorbidities, overall dementia risk factor burden, and the severity of sleep disturbances. Although there are direct (eg, intermittent hypoxia leading to ischemic brain injury or sleep fragmentation) and…
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