How Sleep Impacts Dementia Risk

New studies reveal that sleepless nights may raise your risk of developing dementia as you age.

 

According to research from the American Academy of Neurology, chronic sleep issues can lead to premature aging within the brain. In turn, this increases the risk of developing dementia, including developing dementia earlier in life. The research indicates that people with ongoing sleep issues or chronic lack of sleep are 40 percent more likely than the average individual when it comes to the development of dementia.

 

 

People at an increased genetic risk of developing dementia saw higher than 40 percent increases in their likelihood of developing dementia when sleep issues were also present. This study points again to the importance of a healthy lifestyle, with sleep being a prominent component of a healthy life. This information should be a warning to doctors and other professionals for stressing the importance of getting quality sleep on a regular and ongoing basis.

 

This information shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, especially if you’ve been a long time reader of this blog. Sleep is the body’s way of healing and recovering. This is true for both the body and the brain. When you sleep, the brain is flooded with neurotransmitters that many believe help to clean the brain. Amyloid plaque can be washed away during this time. In fact, many researchers believe that dreams are a byproduct of this. As these neurotransmitters move through the brain, they move the amyloid plaques that accumulate during the course of the day. One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is that there is an abnormal amount of these plaques within the brain. A prolonged lack of adequate sleep makes it so that these plaques remain at an elevated level.

 

If you have questions about sleep and your health, please consult with a medical professional.

 

However, this is not to say that a lack of healthy sleep will cause dementia. And it’s not to say that getting enough sleep every night will completely eliminate the risk. There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of dementia–sleep is just one of them. Scientists don’t fully understand dementia at this time. A lot more research is still needed in this field of study.

 

The right senior care can’t help with resolving sleep issues, but it can help bring peace of mind. When your family is connected to the right resources, the aging process becomes a lot less stressful.

 

If you have questions about how in-home care can help improve the quality of life that you and your family experience, we’re here for you. Our team of professional caregivers is always happy to help. That’s why we offer free consultation services. We can explain the benefits of senior care, answer questions, and go over your unique situation. We can also help get you pointed in the right direction with customized advice for your unique situation.

 

If you’re ready to get started, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here for you to get connected to what your family needs when it comes to senior care.