New Study Suggests Early Treatment of Sleep Apnea May Shield Against Parkinson's Disease
A groundbreaking study published this week has revealed that treating sleep apnea early may help prevent the development of Parkinson's disease. The neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by tremors, stiffness, and slow movement, affects approximately 1.2 million people in the US, with the number expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2030.
The researchers analyzed health data from over 11 million US veterans, finding that nearly 14% of them were diagnosed with sleep apnea. Six years after diagnosis, those with untreated sleep apnea were almost twice as likely to develop Parkinson's compared to their counterparts who received treatment.
While having sleep apnea is not a guarantee for developing Parkinson's, the study suggests that it significantly increases the risk. Conversely, treating sleep apnea with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine appears to reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.
According to Dr. Lee Neilson, lead author of the study, "If you stop breathing and oxygen is not at a normal level, your neurons are probably not functioning at a normal level either." This can have long-term effects on brain function, potentially leading to neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's.
The use of CPAP machines has been shown to improve sleep quality by keeping airways open during sleep. By addressing the underlying cause of sleep apnea, treatment may build resilience against neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's. The study's findings provide hope for those at risk and highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.
A groundbreaking study published this week has revealed that treating sleep apnea early may help prevent the development of Parkinson's disease. The neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by tremors, stiffness, and slow movement, affects approximately 1.2 million people in the US, with the number expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2030.
The researchers analyzed health data from over 11 million US veterans, finding that nearly 14% of them were diagnosed with sleep apnea. Six years after diagnosis, those with untreated sleep apnea were almost twice as likely to develop Parkinson's compared to their counterparts who received treatment.
While having sleep apnea is not a guarantee for developing Parkinson's, the study suggests that it significantly increases the risk. Conversely, treating sleep apnea with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine appears to reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.
According to Dr. Lee Neilson, lead author of the study, "If you stop breathing and oxygen is not at a normal level, your neurons are probably not functioning at a normal level either." This can have long-term effects on brain function, potentially leading to neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's.
The use of CPAP machines has been shown to improve sleep quality by keeping airways open during sleep. By addressing the underlying cause of sleep apnea, treatment may build resilience against neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's. The study's findings provide hope for those at risk and highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.
! I mean, who knew that something as simple as treating sleep apnea could actually help prevent one of the scariest diseases out there? 
It makes total sense though - like, if your brain isn't getting enough oxygen, it's only gonna get worse. And the stats are insane, nearly 14% of veterans have sleep apnea and it doubles their risk for Parkinson's 
, so this study is literally giving me hope. I've got some family members who deal with anxiety and insomnia, so this info is like a weight off my shoulders 
. We need to get the word out about sleep apnea and how it can affect your brain function. This could be a game-changer for people! 
! I had no idea that sleep apnea could even increase the risk of getting Parkinson's disease 
... but it makes total sense now 
. I mean, think about it, when you're not breathing properly, your brain isn't getting enough oxygen, and that can have major effects on brain function 
. So yeah, treating sleep apnea early on could be like a game changer for people who are at risk 
! Anyone else know anyone with sleep apnea? 
the idea that low oxygen levels can mess with brain function is wild 
! Sleep apnea is like a ticking time bomb for Parkinson's, but we cant even get ppl to use those CPAP machines 
! Like, its not that hard to breathe properly while ur sleeping 
? It's about time people took sleep apnea seriously 
!
