If you’ve been told your loud snoring is “just part of getting older” or something your family jokes about, it may be time to take it more seriously. Snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common but often undiagnosed sleep disorder that does more than leave you feeling tired. New research suggests it could also increase your risk of memory problems and dementia. For Black Americans—who are disproportionately affected by high blood pressure, obesity and other conditions linked to sleep apnea—identifying the signs and getting treated could be an important step toward protecting long-term brain health.
A new study in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association examined the link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), memory and dementia risk. Researchers used cognition testing on adults aged 40 to 77 to compare people with and without the sleep disorder.
Those with untreated OSA had worse cognition and memory function. They also had an increased dementia risk.
If the sleep apnea was treated, however, that changed. Adults who managed their apnea had brain testing results on par with adults without it.
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Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway partially collapses or narrows during sleep, causing snoring and affecting breathing. Doctors have long suspected it may be a factor in the development of dementia. OSA disrupts oxygen flow and interrupts sleep cycles, which can affect brain function.
People with obstructive sleep apnea often have other risk factors for dementia, such as obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. As a result, it can be challenging to know which factor contributes most to memory and thinking skills.
The study helped to answer that by controlling for these other risk factors. Even outside other risks, OSA was still linked to lower cognition and increased dementia risk.
Researchers also looked at how the APOE ε4 allele, a gene known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s, affected dementia risk with obstructive sleep apnea. People who had OSA had a higher risk of dementia than people who had the gene but no OSA.
“Sleep apnea is common, frequently undiagnosed, and highly treatable, yet it is not often considered in discussions about dementia risk,” said lead author Gabriel Abdelmessih, a doctoral student in clinical neuropsychology at Monash University in Australia.
“Our findings suggest that identifying and managing sleep apnea in midlife may represent an important opportunity to support long-term brain health,” he added in a news release.
Treatment options for OSA include using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device at night, weight loss, lifestyle changes or custom oral devices. A specialist can help you determine the best route to improve your sleep and feel better throughout the day.
According to the Mayo Clinic, you should consult a health specialist if you have, or if your partner notices, the following:
OSA can be diagnosed through a sleep study, an evaluation of your symptoms and a series of exams and tests.
RELATED: What Snoring Could Be Saying About Your Health
While not every case of obstructive sleep apnea can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and improve your sleep quality:
Sleep is more than just rest—it’s an investment in your long-term health. If you or someone you love snores loudly, wakes up gasping for air, or feels tired no matter how much sleep they get, don’t brush it off. Getting evaluated for sleep apnea and following a treatment plan could improve your energy today while helping protect your memory and brain health for years to come. For Black Americans, taking sleep health seriously is another powerful way to reduce preventable health risks and take charge of your general well-being.
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