memory loss and sleep apnea?

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Permalink Reply by Rock Hinkle on December 1, 2009 at 12:11am

Lack of sleep and oxygen is going to cause problems to the thought process. You have to look at the body like an organic machine or computer. Sleep is the reboot. Bad reboot=bad performance.

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence Lane on December 1, 2009 at 1:50am

In my case, memory loss due to apnea led to taking early retirement. However, I did not know the cause of the loss until after I was diagnosed and started treatment.

My memory has improved greatly with treatment for apnea (BiPap) and type 2 diabetes (diet and exercise) and a host of other ailments related to the OSA.

Sleep is what I needed - for years. I pray my recovery continues, though I am resigned to the idea that I may never be completely restored as I have had OSA for 40 + years.

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Permalink Reply by dave foster on December 1, 2009 at 3:52am

If anyone had told me how much better i would feel w CPAP use, i would have thought they were nuts. From your discussion, it sounds like you are doing all that you can to get healthy/ feel better. For memory loss, hey there are things i wish i could forget! But if you must, then try ginko-biloba [not sure of spelling] which is s'posed to be excellent for memory. Also, deep water fish, oily ones like tuna, sardines, anchovies, those fish w the omega-3 fatty acids said to help w memory [as well as heart, skin and joints]. i suppose you could just take the pill, but what would you put on the pizza? Don't stop w the machine, as the extra O2 your getting is surely helping you. By the way, how do you feel now? What type of machine are you using? Do you think you are getting enogh sleep?

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence Lane on December 1, 2009 at 11:05am

To return to your question: Absolutely - well-being, memory, problem solving, energy level, positive outlook, etc. - they all improve with CPAP treatment. It's like a new dawn, if you follow my drift!

My CPAP treatment has been is done along with a big change in diet and exercise. I mean three nutritious squares and snacks each day, green tea, multivitamin, extra calcium and vitamin D. Walk, walk, walk outdoors or at the mall (a mile or two six days a week). Practice mindful meditation and stress reduction.

And yes, fish (especially tuna) 3-4 times a week. Gotta get that Omega-3!

See I am attacking this with lifestyle changes because it is my life at stake. I watched a parent die from Alzheimer's (a parent who always had sleep issues) and I don't want to die that way.

So there are a lot of factors contributing to the great improvement in my well-being - certainly not the least of which is bilevel CPAP or BiPap.

I use a ResMed VPAP S with a comfortable Respironics full face mask. The machine takes 45 minutes to ramp up to a level of 20 / 17, which with the humidifier, feels like a hurricane on my face. But I am not even aware - I usually am asleep within ten minutes and sleep soundly (no tossing and no trips to the bathroom) until the force of the hurricane wakes me up about six hours later fresh and ready to go again. No head pain of groggyness.

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence Lane on December 1, 2009 at 11:33am

Hey, Dave. It sounds like you have really gotten into the diet of great, healthy seafood. I hope that your therapy is as beneficial to you as mine has been for me.

One last point: Isn't doing SOMETHING about it better than sitting in the dark???

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Permalink Reply by Steph Serrano on December 3, 2009 at 8:02am

I haven't experienced any memory problems yet but probably I am in an early phase of apnea. I hope that the treatment will work and I won't get any further problems like memory loss or nocturia. A few days ago I didn't even know that sleep apnea can cause such severe problems.

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence Lane on December 3, 2009 at 8:18am

Steph

It is good that these memory difficulties are coming to light. Had I known about memory problems years ago when I was first diagnosed I probably would have been more compliant with CPAP treatment. I was not compliant, the CPAP was boxed up and put in the closet. Then two years ago I returned to work after sick leave and I could no longer remember the password for the PC network or routine job procedures. After taking a leave of absence of a year, I took early retirement after 33 years of employment.

I am convinced sleep apea is related to memory problems and I'd be the first to volunteer for a medical study of this issue.

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Permalink Reply by Saz RPSGT on December 3, 2009 at 1:31pm

Memory loss has been shown to result from REM sleep deprivation. Memory should improved with PAP treatment assuming that the treatment is correct and results in REM sleep consolidation.

Saz

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Kay Goodwin on December 3, 2009 at 2:31pm

Yea, I have had a lot of memory loss. I didn't think about it being due to sleep apnea or lack of sleep. Makes sense.

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Permalink Reply by 99 on December 3, 2009 at 2:55pm

yes i have had memory loss due to apnea short term memory lose
i have two disclosure against my lodged with the csiw (CARE STANDARDS IN WALES) as a result
1 where i was working i put someone on the toilet and forgot and went home
2 put hot water into a vacuum flask and did not fully tighten the lid and someone got scalded
since that time i have not worked
my long term memory is ok it is my short term memory is at fault and i am on the sick with that
too improve your memory you need good circulation there are several methods to do this

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Permalink Reply by Melinda Hertel on December 3, 2009 at 3:10pm

I struggle with short-term memory loss too. My ability to concentrate and read has improved with CPAP. However, there are times that I struggle to remember things throughout the day, and I also have times where I struggle to get words out--the thoughts are there, but I can't find the words. I lose my train of thought too.

For me, since I am female, I believe it has a lot to do with monthly hormonal fluctuations. The reason I mention that is because there are other medical reasons why memory/concentration can be affected. If lack of O2 from sleep apnea is the cause, CPAP should help. However, if it doesn't help, there may be other causes for you. I am also still tired all the time, although my stamina and ability to focus have improved. I was beginning to fear falling asleep driving--that doesn't happen anymore.

I guess my point is....sleep apnea causes a lot of these problems. But, CPAP doesn't always fix them 100% if there are other physiological issues present.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia Parker Stratman on December 3, 2009 at 3:17pm

i have chronic borrelia (lyme) disease along with sleep apnea and other medical problems. at one point before c-pap my memory was 3% of normal per a test by a neuro-psychologist. now after using c-pap and oxygen at night my memory is much better. also, due to a miracle my borrelia is better and that also helped the memory problems. blessings to all on c-pap.

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