4. Cognitive Impairment: The Foggy Reality of Impeded Thought
Here’s one that might catch you by surprise: cognitive impairment. While the side effects of sleep apnea commonly manifest in physical symptoms, cognitive functions also take a hit. From reduced memory retention to a dulled attention span, the cognitive repercussions can be staggering. You might have assumed that feeling foggy was just a result of poor sleep, but there’s much more to it.
Oxygen is the fuel your brain runs on, vital for keeping those neural networks firing correctly. During sleep apnea episodes, interrupted breathing results in less oxygen reaching your brain. This isn’t just a hiccup; it’s a malfunction that throws a wrench into your mental operations. Memory, attention, and even your ability to think clearly can start to deteriorate.
There’s a ripple effect to this. Poor cognitive function affects your professional life, your social interactions, and your overall mental health. It’s akin to trying to operate a computer with insufficient RAM; it might work, but it’s not efficient. The degradation might be slow, but the cumulative impact is substantial, akin to the wear and tear on a car that’s never serviced. (4)
