Inside Sleep with The Snoring Doctor Issue #7

Hello,

Welcome back to Inside Sleep! In this month’s issue, we have some interesting stories and information to share. First, we’ll discuss some recent findings about sleep apnea’s impact on cognitive function. If you’ve been following along here for a while, you may have an idea of what to expect in those findings. 

Then, Samsung received FDA approval for a sleep apnea detection tool in a new watch. I’ve gotten a lot of questions about wearables as a sleep apnea tool in the past, so this bit of news could be exciting for many of you (with some light caveats, of course). 

I hope you’re feeling rested and ready to read! Let’s get into it.

Catching Up On Sleep: A Current Events Roundup

Sleep apnea symptoms linked to memory and thinking problems

A recent preliminary study slated to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting looks to shed some light on the connection between snoring, sleep apnea, and cognitive function. The study, led by Dr. Dominique Low of Boston Medical Center, surveyed over 4,000 participants to understand the relationship between sleep apnea symptoms and cognitive issues.

The findings revealed a notable association between sleep apnea symptoms and an increased likelihood of experiencing memory or thinking problems. Individuals reporting gasping or breathing pauses during sleep were about 50% more likely to report cognitive challenges compared to those without such symptoms.

Despite the study's limitations, such as reliance on self-reported symptoms rather than professional assessments, the implications are clear: identifying and addressing sleep apnea early on should contribute to better cognitive health.

So, what can individuals take away from this? If you’re a snorer, consider visiting a healthcare professional for a sleep study. Early detection and intervention not only address the immediate concern of disrupted sleep but also potentially safeguard against future cognitive challenges and other serious issues, such as increased risk of stroke or heart disease. 

Quality sleep is a cornerstone of overall well-being. I say it all the time—Diet, Exercise, Sleep. Those are the three pillars of good health. In addition to treating your sleep apnea, maintaining a healthy diet, as well as engaging in regular exercise and stimulating cognitive activities, can contribute to a reduced risk of memory and thinking problems.

So, don't ignore the snore. Protect your brain, and schedule a sleep study to learn if you need sleep apnea treatment.

New Samsung Watch Includes FDA-Approved Sleep Apnea Detection Technology

Samsung's Galaxy Watch devices have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a sleep apnea detection feature. Already given the green light in South Korea, this marks the first approval of its kind in the US.

Samsung's innovative feature enables individuals over the age of 22, who have not been previously diagnosed with sleep apnea, to monitor signs of moderate-to-severe OSA using their Galaxy Watch and smartphone. The process involves tracking sleep for more than four hours twice over ten days during a two-night monitoring period.

This development aligns with the growing awareness of sleep's impact on overall health, and the ease of monitoring sleep apnea from the convenience of a wearable device is a noteworthy step forward. With the FDA's approval, Samsung plans to integrate the sleep apnea monitoring tool into compatible Galaxy Watch wearables by the third quarter of 2024.

Now, there’s a very important caveat to all of this. Samsung describes this technology as over-the-counter software, and they say that it should not be used in lieu of a professional evaluation. If you’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea, they also note that this is not for you. 

I’m all for something that brings greater awareness to sleep apnea, and I hope that this technology gets more sleep apnics into a doctor’s office for treatment. But be careful. If you think you have sleep apnea, or you snore, but the watch says you don’t have sleep apnea, it may still be worth getting a professional sleep study done. 

Sleep apnea is nothing to mess around with, so make sure you cover your bases.

Sleep Fact

Diagnosis is a big theme of today’s issue, and it needs to be. Obstructive sleep apnea affects around a billion adults worldwide, yet so few even realize it. This means millions and millions of people could be dealing with breathing issues, weight gain, decreased cognitive function, heart issues, and more without understanding why.

If someone in your life snores or is tired all the time, suggest a sleep study. Sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment saves lives.

Sleep Clip of the Month

I can talk your ear off about the Inspire Implant, but sometimes, it’s helpful to hear from the patients who receive it, too. This clip features a testimonial from one of my patients who received the Inspire Implant, and he explains how it’s helped him, what recovery was like, and more. Check it out if you’re curious about this sleep apnea treatment!

thesnoringdoctor

View more on Instagram

How to further connect with The Snoring Doctor:

If you’d like to hear the latest sleep news, you’re in the right place.

To join in on the conversation, you can follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram.

If you’re ready to get treatment for your snoring and sleep apnea, reach out here to request an appointment.

Sweet dreams and happy breathing,

Dr. Ben Cilento, “The Snoring Doctor”

Have friends or colleagues looking for information to improve their sleep? Hit the share button below! If you were forwarded this email, you can subscribe here.

P.S.