Does Obstructive Sleep Apnea Increase Dementia Risk?

 

Part of the reason for my extreme fatigue post stroke was sleep apnea which my hospital doctors never found. Once found, the CPAP machine was useless, couldn't sleep with the need to forcibly exhale against the incoming air. Have no clue if I still have sleep apnea, no partner to tell me otherwise, my fatigue has lessened considerably so I'm guessing my sleeping habits are now preventing the problem.

Does Obstructive Sleep Apnea Increase Dementia Risk?

Obstructive sleep apnea was associated with poorer memory performance and higher estimated dementia risk among cognitively unimpaired middle-aged adults, regardless of APOE ε4 carrier status.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be associated with poorer memory performance and higher estimated risk for future dementia, according to study findings published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Researchers evaluated whether self-reported OSA was associated with cognitive function and dementia risk among cognitively unimpaired adults in midlife and whether apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carrier status modified those associations.

The researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Healthy Brain Project, an Australian community-based cohort enriched for individuals with a family history of dementia. The analysis included 2795 cognitively unimpaired adults aged 40 to 70 years. OSA status was determined by self-report, cognitive performance was assessed with the Cogstate Brief Battery, and dementia risk was estimated using the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) score.

 These findings highlight the need for early OSA screening to identify individuals at elevated dementia risk. Participants had a mean age of 56.4 years, 76% were women, and 7% reported an OSA diagnosis. Approximately one-third carried the APOE ε4 allele, more than one-half reported a first- or second-degree family history of dementia, and nearly three-fifths of those with OSA were receiving treatment. Compared with participants without OSA, those with OSA were older, had higher body mass index values, and were more likely to be men and have hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. They also reported poorer sleep quality, greater daytime sleepiness, more severe insomnia symptoms, and higher anxiety and depression scores. After adjustment for demographic characteristics and OSA treatment status, participants with OSA demonstrated significantly poorer memory performance than those without OSA (Cohen d, -0.22; P =.03), although attention did not differ between groups.

Participants with OSA also had significantly higher CAIDE risk scores than those without OSA (Cohen d, 0.84; P <.001). Elevated risk persisted when analyses were limited to the modifiable vascular components of the CAIDE score (Cohen d, 0.72; P <.001), including obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and physical inactivity.

APOE ε4 carrier status did not significantly modify the associations between OSA and either cognitive performance or dementia risk. Participants with OSA had higher CAIDE risk scores regardless of APOE ε4 status, whereas APOE ε4 carriage alone was not associated with higher CAIDE scores.

Additional analyses suggested that poorer memory performance was confined to participants with untreated OSA. Memory performance among treated participants did not differ significantly from that of participants without OSA, and the association between OSA and memory was no longer significant after adjustment for vascular risk burden.

Study limitations include reliance on self-reported OSA diagnoses, limited information on treatment type and adherence, use of a brief cognitive assessment rather than a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, and the cross-sectional design, which precluded assessment of temporal relationships or causality.

“These findings highlight the need for early OSA screening to identify individuals at elevated dementia risk,” the study authors concluded.

Disclosures: This research was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Dementia Australia Research Foundation, the Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation, the Yulgilbar Alzheimer’s Research Program, the National Heart Foundation of Australia, and the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. Please see the original reference for a full list of disclosures.

References:

Abdelmessih GT, Bransby L, Cummins H, Jackson ML, Lim YY. Associations of self-reported obstructive sleep apnea with cognition and dementia risk in cognitively unimpaired middle-aged adults. Alzheimers Dement. 2026;22(7):e71553. doi:10.1002/alz.71553

Study finds eating cheese may reduce your risk for this potentially serious health condition

 Of course your competent? doctor told you of the benefits of dairy fat and Grana Padano cheese

• dairy fat (50 posts to April 2016)
• Grana Padano cheese (6 posts to May 2016)

Study finds eating cheese may reduce your risk for this potentially serious health condition

This could be grate news for cheese lovers: A recent study found potential links between cheese and positive health outcomes, particularly when it comes to sleep.

The results of the study, published in the December edition of the Sleep Medicine journal, found that eating more cheese may be linked to a reduced likelihood of developing sleep apnea, a potentially serious medical condition that can cause you to stop breathing while you sleep. 

Health: The Reason You Might Want To Stop Using Electrolyte Powders

The study’s researchers pointed out that although there’s been research focused on the health benefits of cheese, this study aimed to examine the direct relationship between cheese and sleep apnea. The authors noted that essential nutrients found in cheese, including calcium, protein and vitamins, could influence metabolic and cardiovascular health, which are both factors associated with sleep apnea. 

To conduct the study, the researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database in Britain, and the FinnGen Biobank, a research project that collects health data from 500,000 Finnish donors, to analyze potential associations between sleep apnea and cheese consumption.

The study looked at health information from 400,000 people who participated in two long-term studies from the two databanks found that those who ate cheese had a 28% lower risk of having sleep apnea than those who didn’t, according to Food & Wine magazine. 

The researchers implemented an analytical method in their research called Mendelian randomization, which is a method that observes the causal associations between exposures or risk factors with various health outcomes. They also sought to find whether cheese consumption has any potential influence on 44 different biomarkers. Biomarkers are quantifiable characteristics measured in one’s body, such as blood pressure. 

Health: Doctors Warn Lying About These 6 Things During Your Office Visit Is Quite Dangerous

The results showed that cheese consumption influenced the levels in 23 biomarkers, with six of those biomarkers playing a direct role in the potential relationship between eating cheese and a reduced likelihood of developing sleep apnea. 

“By applying this technique, this study aims to clarify the association between cheese consumption and sleep apnea, identifying potential mediating biomarkers and providing insights into how cheese intake may affect sleep apnea risk,” the researchers wrote.

“These findings underscore the potential of dietary interventions in public health strategies aimed at decreasing sleep apnea prevalence and associated health risks,” they added. 

Dr. Kevin Shayani, chief fellow of pulmonary and critical care at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told Food & Wine that the study’s results reveal some association between cheese consumption and “a reduction in inflammation and enzymes that are elevated in sleep apnea.”

While this association is certainly exciting, it is far from perfect and should not give people free rein to consume excessive amounts of cheese and dairy products.Dr. Kevin Shayani, Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City

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“It seems that, in those that consume cheese in addition to their normal diet, there may be some protective effect as it pertains to sleep apnea,” he said. 

But he cautioned that readers should still consider the fact that the study shows a correlation between cheese consumption and a lower risk of sleep apnea — not evidence that cheese consumption causes a reduced risk of the disorder.  

Health: This Trend Is Exploding Among Millennials And Gen Z — And Honestly, It’s Worth Celebrating

“While this association is certainly exciting, it is far from perfect and should not give people free rein to consume excessive amounts of cheese and dairy products,” he told the publication, before he also pointed out that some cheeses are healthier and more nutrient-rich than others. 

The Mayo Clinic states that cheese can generally be a part of a healthy diet but that people consider low-fat cheeses to limit calories and saturated fat.

Sleep apnea can be a potentially serious medical condition. It has been associated with increased risks of cardiovascular issues. So it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disorder and its treatment. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, types of sleep apnea include obstructive sleep apnea, which is when throat muscles block the flow of air into the lungs, and central sleep apnea, which is when your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to your muscles to control breathing.

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People with sleep apnea may snore, they may feel exhausted when they wake up from a full night’s sleep and they may experience mood changes. 

Though snoring is often associated with sleep apnea, there are other warning signs linked to the condition, such as waking up with a dry mouth, having night sweats and waking up frequently with a headache. 

The Cleveland Clinic lists a variety of ways to treat sleep apnea. Some doctors may recommend weight loss, sleeping position changes and nasal sprays to may help reduce the incidences of sleep apnea. 

Other treatments may include medications; surgery on the nose, mouth or throat; special mouthpieces; and a positive airway pressure treatment, which uses a machine to pump air into the lungs. 

As always, discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor. 

The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.

undefined (Photo: Aurelian Popescu / 500px via Getty Images)

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Keep independent journalism alive. Your support funds the deep reporting that matters most. Become a HuffPost member and support our journalism today.

Friday, May 15, 2026

Sleep Apnea Is Linked To A Surprising Change In Muscle Health by mindbodygreen

 The one takeaway from this is your doctor doing a skeletal muscle index study so you get an objective view of your muscle atrophy/sarcopenia. Then your competent? doctor will have THE EXACT REHAB PROTOCOLS TO FIX THAT! Oh NO, you instead have an incompetent? doctor who has nothing! Fire them!

Sleep Apnea Is Linked To A Surprising Change In Muscle Health

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Sleep Apnea Increases In-Hospital Pneumonia Risk After Acute Stroke

Part of the reason for my extreme fatigue post stroke was sleep apnea which my doctors never found. Once found, the CPAP machine was useless, couldn't sleep with the need to forcibly exhale against the incoming air. Have no clue if I still have sleep apnea, no partner to tell me otherwise, my fatigue has lessened considerably so I'm guessing my sleeping habits are now preventing the problem. Didn't get pneumonia.

Sleep Apnea Increases In-Hospital Pneumonia Risk After Acute Stroke

Preexisting sleep apnea is an independent predictor for acquiring in-hospital pneumonia following an acute stroke.

Inpatients with stroke and comorbid sleep apnea are at higher risk for acquiring pneumonia, according to study results presented at the International Stroke Conference (ISC), held from February 4 to 6, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

After acute stroke, patients are at risk for in-hospital pneumonia and those who develop pneumonia have longer hospital stays, worse outcomes, and higher mortality. The subset of patients with preexisting sleep apnea may be at increased risk for pneumonia due to higher risk for aspiration, hypoxia, and impaired airway clearance and due to the associated systemic inflammation.

To investigate the relationship between sleep apnea and poststroke pneumonia risk, investigators evaluated data from the Florida Stroke Registry. Patients (N=189,757) who were discharged after acute stroke between 2010 and 2025 were evaluated for in-hospital pneumonia on the basis of sleep apnea status.

Sleep apnea was a preexisting condition among 2.1% of patients.

 

Given the challenges of formal screening in acute care, efforts should focus on recognizing pre-existing sleep apnea and supporting adherence to therapies (eg, CPAP/BiPAP [continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure]) alongside standard pneumonia prevention protocols.

The rate of in-hospital pneumonia in the study population was 4.6%.

The in-hospital pneumonia rate was higher among patients with sleep apnea (7.9%) than among those without sleep apnea (4.5%).

The independent predictors for in-hospital pneumonia included sleep apnea (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.76; 95% CI, 1.55-2.00), higher stroke severity, subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage relative to ischemic stroke, male gender, underweight body mass index (BMI), smoking, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and depression. Conversely, in-hospital pneumonia risk was lower with transient ischemic attack relative to ischemic stroke, Hispanic ethnicity compared with White race, and in patients with overweight or obese BMI.

The study investigators concluded, “In acute stroke care, sleep apnea independently predicts in-hospital pneumonia, likely due to aspiration risk, respiratory compromise, and systemic inflammation. Given the challenges of formal screening in acute care, efforts should focus on recognizing pre-existing sleep apnea and supporting adherence to therapies (eg, CPAP/BiPAP [continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure]) alongside standard pneumonia prevention protocols.”

This article originally appeared on The Cardiology Advisor

Friday, January 16, 2026

Stroke Experts Challenge "90-Day Recovery" Myth: New Research Shows Patients Need Long-Term Care

All this is why everything in stroke is a COMPLETE FUCKING FAILURE! No one in the world is working on 100% recovery!

'Care' is NOT RECOVERY!

Stroke Experts Challenge "90-Day Recovery" Myth: New Research Shows Patients Need Long-Term Care

Centre for Neuro Skills

Tue, January 13, 2026 at 8:00 AM CST 5 min read

Centre for Neuro Skills

Study published by Centre for Neuro Skills researchers in Brain Injury journal argues current insurance policies leave stroke survivors with preventable disabilities and cost society billions

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stroke survivors need ongoing care far beyond the traditional 90-day recovery window, according to a recently published peer-reviewed article written by the Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS) research team. The article presents evidence that challenges current healthcare practices, limiting stroke treatment to the first 60-90 days post-injury. It indicates that a stroke should be treated as a chronic condition rather than a one-time medical event.

Brent-Mark-Grace-Stephanie-FIN_121925

From left: Brent E. Masel, Mark J. Ashley, Stefanie N. Howell and Grace S. Griesbach

The review article published in the journal Brain Injury, "Stroke as a chronic health condition: a case for continued care(NOT RECOVERY!)," is authored by CNS researchers Brent E. Masel, Mark J. Ashley, Stefanie N. Howell and Grace S. Griesbach. It presents compelling evidence that stroke survivors can continue to improve with therapy well beyond the traditional 3-6 month "plateau" assumption that drives current insurance reimbursement policies.

"Stroke is disease causative and disease accelerative," the researchers write. "Despite the fact that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has classified stroke as a chronic condition, the focus of care(NOT RECOVERY!) remains on the first 60-90 days after the stroke. There is very little scientific evidence supporting the limits imposed on stroke rehabilitation."

The Cost of Inadequate Long-Term Care

In the US, the average lifetime cost of stroke care(NOT RECOVERY!) per patient is estimated at $140,048.

"Although more intense comprehensive long-term stroke rehabilitation would add to the healthcare financial burden, it would potentially reduce disability and long-term costs to society," the authors state. Among young stroke survivors aged 18-50, nearly 47% were unemployed five years post-stroke, with a 2-3 times greater unemployment rate than their non-injured peers after eight years.

Medical Complications Extend Far Beyond Acute Period

The CNS research highlights that medical complications occur in 67% of stroke survivors, with two-thirds experiencing at least one complication and 25% suffering two or more. The most common complications include depression, pain, falls, cognitive impairment and sleep disorders - many of which develop or persist well beyond the initial months.

Key findings include:

• More than 50% of stroke survivors report cognitive impairment beyond the first year

• About one in four stroke survivors (25-28%) develop depression(You prevent depression by having EXACT 100% RECOVERY PROTOCOLS!)

• More than 70% develop obstructive sleep apnea, yet only 6% receive formal sleep testing

• 36-51% experience post-stroke fatigue(What is the EXACT CURE FOR THAT?)

• 30% develop dementia

• Stroke survivors face a 30% risk of a second stroke within five years—nine times the risk of the general population