Early dementia warning: Recognize sleep disorders as a creeping risk!

Early dementia warning: Recognize sleep disorders as a creeping risk!

The risk of dementia could be detected by our sleeping habits long before symptoms actually appear. Recent research shows that sleep disorders, particularly in REM sleep, the phase of the body in which we experience vivid dreams, are considered warning signs of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. This finding is based on a Canadian study that shows that people who have problems with their sleep behavior in the REM cycle have an increased risk of developing dementia by up to 100 percent - and this years before the diagnosis, as the Fuldaer Zeitung reports.

The German Alzheimer Society currently lists around 1.8 million people with dementia in Germany, with the number of illnesses having risen steadily in recent years. The symptoms of dementia, which include confusion, memory loss and difficulty in everyday life, often lead to a late diagnosis. In addition, an extensive epidemiological study shows that people who sleep less than seven hours per night in middle age have a significantly increased risk of developing dementia in old age. In particular, people with six or fewer hours of sleep report a 22 to 37 percent higher rate of dementia, according to research in the Study by Dr. Severine Sabia prove.

Influence of sleep duration on the risk of disease

The duration and quality of sleep play crucial roles in preventing dementia. According to the Alzheimer Research Initiative, important regenerative processes take place during sleep, during which harmful substances, such as the protein amyloid-beta, are removed. Chronic lack of sleep could lead to an accumulation of such toxic proteins in the brain, which could pave the way to disease. Research shows that sleeping an average of seven hours per night is most beneficial for reducing risk, while longer sleep (>8 hours) also poses increased risks, as shown by a link between sleep habits and health conditions.

In summary, both sleep patterns and sleep quality are essential to reducing the risk of later dementia. The cleansing processes of the brain that occur during sleep emphasize the great importance of restful nights. Preventive measures should not only include physical activity and a healthy diet, but also aim to ensure regular and sufficient sleep duration in order to sustainably promote neuronal health.