Researchers Study Links Between Sleep, Sleep Medicine, and Dementia

Several studies found more frequent use of sleep medication is more likely to lead to memory and thinking troubles in people in their 60s and 70s, reports KDKA 2 . "Sleep disturbance can be the first sign of a neurodegenerative disorder," says Allegheny Health Network neuropsychologist Carol Schramke. "People chronically deprived of sleep are more likely to have high blood pressure, to have problems with diabetes, to have other health problems that also increase your risk of developing dementia." Certain sleep medications can disrupt the brain chemicals vital to thinking, concentration, and memory. Researchers believe the best course of action is to get good sleep, without medication if possible. "If you can improve your sleep, get good sleep, get good exercise, which improves your sleep, and also improves your cardiovascular health, all of those things together will really improve your health and reduce your risk of dementia," Schramke says.