In recent times, there has been a growing trend of people suffering from sleep disorders. This is because securing adequate sleep time has become challenging due to physical and mental issues. Representative sleep disorders such as snoring, sleep apnea, and insomnia are examples of this. The problem with such sleep disorders is that if they persist, they can lead to a decline in memory.
Sleep plays a crucial role in releasing accumulated stress throughout the day, normalizing bodily rhythms, and relieving tension. In particular, sleep time is known as the brain's only moment of rest. During sleep, the brain rests, organizes memories, and uses energy to clean up waste products. These waste products are known to be removed by cerebrospinal fluid during sleep. When brain cells shrink during sleep, there is more space for efficient waste removal.
However, without adequate sleep time, the brain's resting period is shortened, and waste products continue to accumulate. This can lead to impaired brain function, resulting in symptoms such as memory loss and lack of concentration.
Snoring, in particular, is notorious for disrupting proper sleep. Snoring occurs due to vibrations of the tongue or cartilage caused by air passing through a narrow airway. If snoring is severe during sleep, breathing becomes irregular, and proper fatigue recovery is unlikely. This can lead to disturbances in oxygen supply due to irregular breathing during sleep, ultimately resulting in symptoms such as impaired memory. Moreover, difficulty achieving deep sleep can lead to daytime sleepiness, hypersomnia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
To address sleep disorders, it is advisable to visit a sleep clinic for comprehensive testing. Polysomnography is the standard test for diagnosing all sleep disorders, including snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, and hypersomnia. Through this, it is possible to normalize the respiratory disturbance index and improve sleep quality. By evaluating brain activity and breathing patterns during sleep, appropriate treatment methods can be found.
The primary goal of snoring treatment is to normalize the respiratory disturbance index. Snoring or other sleep disorder symptoms can be not only memory impairments but also risk factors for fatal complications such as cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, it is important not to delay and seek appropriate treatment. Through precise diagnosis and treatment at a sleep clinic, healthy sleep can be restored.
