How Sleep Deprivation Worsens Dementia Symptoms and Aggravates Heart Disease, Diabetes, and More: Study Reveals
Advertisement
A new review published in The Aging, compiles findings from recent studies on how sleep problems-such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and disrupted sleep cycles—can worsen dementia and accelerate cognitive decline. It also emphasizes the profound impact of these sleep disorders on caregivers, who often face burnout and emotional stress.
Such issues go beyond causing fatigue—they accelerate memory loss, increase confusion, and raise the risk of behavioral symptoms like agitation. Addressing sleep challenges is critical to improving quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. Caregivers, who often support loved ones around the clock, face significant stress when dealing with these sleep disorders.
“This situation creates a vicious cycle where caregiver distress exacerbates patient symptoms, further increasing the burden on caregivers.”
This review also explores how other illnesses, common in older adults with dementia, worsen sleep disturbances. Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, heart disease, and anxiety disrupt sleep, and poor sleep then worsens both the dementia and the underlying illnesses. For instance, untreated sleep apnea can significantly accelerate cognitive decline in people with dementia.
In conclusion, this review highlights the critical need for a more comprehensive approach to dementia care.
Reference: Mukherjee, U., Sehar, U., Brownell, M., & Reddy, P. H. (2024). Sleep deprivation in dementia comorbidities: focus on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, anxiety/depression and thyroid disorders. Aging.
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.