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Science Shows How Sleep Apnea Can Damage the Brain

Although medical science has long known that sleep apnea causes adverse medical conditions in the human body, it hasn’t really been aware of exactly how the damage manifested itself in the brain. Now that has all changed. Researchers at UCLA have concluded a study that now shows how this condition can damage the human brain. This condition affects millions of people around the world, often due to weight problems. Now we finally have first-hand evidence of its effects.

First, what is obstructive sleep apnea, and what does it do?

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, and is characterized by pauses in breathing while the person is asleep. In severe cases, it can happen up to 30 times per hour. In the majority of cases, periods of sporadic breathing change to normal breathing after a loud snort or choking sound. This is our body’s attempt to restore normal respiratory order. The research at UCLA has concluded that it leads to a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, something that is vital to the protection of brain tissue. This barrier limits harmful bacteria, infections, and harmful chemicals from reaching the brain. Because of this sleep condition, the barrier becomes more permeable, allowing more of these harmful things to pass through.

How is this harmful?

The research shows that gasping during the night damages the brain, and can lead to such conditions as depression, memory loss, and anxiety. Overall it is severely detrimental to your health. Not only this, but it can also lead to day-time sleepiness, and other irritability problems because of interrupted sleep.

How can we help?

The vast majority of sleep apnea issues are caused by excess weight and obesity. The extra fatty deposits and weight can lead to obstruction of the airways, and being obese makes patients at least 30% more likely to develop this condition, according to the American Diabetes Association. In morbidly obese patients the percentages get even higher, and can reach up almost to 100% certainty. Our weight loss procedures can help you medically lose weight, and get down to a healthy size. This will not only improve your overall appearance and health, but it will also help save you from the brain damage that apnea brings on.

Here at Clinique Michel Gagner, we are dedicated to helping make your life better. Our cutting-edge medical techniques are aimed at bringing your weight down to a manageable number, and helping to improve your quality of life. Now that science has shown how obstructive sleep apnea damages the brain, it is important for you take advantage <a href="https://cliniquemichelgagner.com/services/surgeries/weight-loss-procedures/gastric-balloon">of our procedures</a> to help correct this condition.