Memory loss in sleep apnea patients may not be from lack of sleep

Dr. Mallika Marshall, CBS News A common side effect of sleep apnea is memory problems. Many thought it was the result of a lack of sleep. But that may not be the case. Jim Reynolds says sleep apnea not only zapped his energy and focus but damaged his short term memory. "If you imagine what it's like when you go through a night without any sleep and the next day you're foggy, imagine what it’s like going through ten years of that," Reynolds said. During sleep apnea, muscles in the throat become relaxed, cutting off the airway and constantly waking patients up. "I would wake up in the night gasping for air," Reynolds said. He started having trouble remembering new things. UCLA’s Dr. Ronald Harper says it’s common among these patients. It’s been assumed short term memory problems are caused by sleep deprivation. But when Dr.... [read full story]