Daytime sleepiness: Beware of dementia risk

Raising awareness of the role of sleep and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent potential risks, protect memory and long-term quality of life.

The phenomenon of elderly people often feeling sleepy during the day and lacking energy is not simply a sign of fatigue but can be an early warning of the risk of cognitive decline and progression to dementia.

A recent study published in the journal Neurology has made remarkable findings about the link between daytime sleepiness and motor cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) .

Signs of daytime sleepiness and risk of cognitive decline

The study was conducted on 445 elderly people with an average age of 76 years, with no history of dementia. The research team monitored factors related to sleep quality, frequency of daytime sleepiness, and the impact of sleep on daily activities.

The phenomenon of elderly people often feeling sleepy during the day and lacking energy is not simply a sign of fatigue (Photo: Getty).

The results showed that people who often felt excessively sleepy during the day and had little interest in activities were three times more likely to have MCR syndrome than the other group. This syndrome is characterized by reduced walking speed accompanied by memory problems, and is considered an early stage of dementia.

Dr. Victoire Leroy, research author from Albert Einstein College of Medicine (USA), commented: "Sleep not only helps the body rest but also plays an important role in protecting and regenerating the brain.

Sleep problems, especially excessive daytime sleepiness, are a signal to pay attention to in order to prevent the risk of cognitive decline."

Early recognition of signs such as daytime sleepiness, decreased mobility and poor memory is important for prevention.

Dr. Leroy emphasized: "Improving sleep quality is not only a short-term solution but also the foundation for protecting brain health and preventing long-term damage."

Sleep and brain health: The important connection

Prolonged sleep deprivation increases the risk of beta amyloid accumulation, leading to nerve cell damage and memory loss (Photo: Getty).

Sleep not only helps the body regenerate energy but also plays an essential role in protecting brain health. During a good night's sleep, the brain is "cleaned" of accumulated waste, including amyloid beta . This is a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Research from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine shows that prolonged sleep deprivation increases the risk of beta amyloid accumulation, leading to nerve cell damage and memory loss.

In addition, Professor Glen Finney (Geisinger University of Health Sciences, USA) said that poor sleep is also related to diseases such as depression, stroke, obesity and cardiovascular disease. These are risk factors for dementia.

Early recognition and intervention

Excessive daytime sleepiness is often accompanied by a number of signs such as:

1. Persistent fatigue, decreased interest in activities.
2. Slow walking speed or lack of coordination.
3. Decreased concentration and memory.

If these symptoms persist, especially in the elderly, medical evaluation is needed to assess the risk of MCR syndrome or dementia-related problems.

Measures to improve sleep:

1. Create an ideal sleep environment: A quiet bedroom, suitable lighting and comfortable temperature.
2. Lifestyle changes: Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime.
3. Stress management : Practice relaxation exercises like yoga, meditation, or journaling to reduce anxiety.
4. Health monitoring: Talk to your doctor if you have persistent insomnia or symptoms of snoring or sleep apnea.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently more than 55 million people in the world suffering from dementia, with this number predicted to double by 2050. In Vietnam, the rate of elderly people showing signs of cognitive decline is increasing, especially among the population over 60 years old .