Posted March 31, 2010
Berlin (dpa) – Severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), or breathing interruptions caused by a blockage of the airway, can damage the brain, according to a recent study cited by the German Society for Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP).
The study, which was published in a recent issue of the US medical journal Sleep, concluded that the disorder can lead to reduced concentrations of the brain’s grey matter when left untreated. Grey matter refers to the cerebral cortex, where most information processing takes place.
The grey matter deficit may explain the memory impairment, brain dysfunctions and repiratory control problems often found in OSA patients, authors of the study said.
People with OSA usually have their airway blocked by the collapse of soft tissue in the back of their throat during sleep, resulting in decreased blood flow to the brain and lower blood oxygen levels. By definition, OSA is present when breathing stops at least five times an hour for a minimum of 10 seconds.
Apnoea episodes often alternate with deep gasps for air and loud snoring. The sleep of affected persons is fitful and of low quality, making them tired and sleepy during the day. To avert brain damage and accompanying cardiovascular problems, authors of the Sleep study recommend “continuous positive airway pressure therapy,” in which a machine pushes air through the airway.
Date: Mar 29, 2010