A good night’s sleep is key to good health. Without it, your body has no time to rest and repair. But did you know that you could actually be sleep deprived without knowing it? As you age, especially if you are a man or have weight issues, you are more prone to a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea causes the body to stop breathing for a sustained period of ten seconds or longer, often at intervals throughout the night. Even if you don’t fully wake up, you are still disrupting your sleep as your body struggles to start breathing again. Your brain is deprived of oxygen during sleep apnea episodes.
This lack of oxygen is known to increase the likelihood of developing major health issues, such as cardiovascular disease—and research shows that it can also injure the brain, causing long-term problems with memory loss and cognition.
