Sleep Study - oxygen level 77%. How does this affect brain?

The level of oxygen leads to : neuron damage, cognitive changes , changes in your memory, neurodegenerative disease . It also leads to fatigue , motivation , etc

Hi fourleaf! So yes, as merrychristmas said, hypoxia does damage brain tissue, and likely other tissues of the body. I would suggest that you clarify your suspected sleep apnea (is it central, or is it obstructive?) By all means, get it treated as soon as possible. Headaches are classic symptoms of sleep apnea. But headaches should not be taken at face value, especially when they are chronic, like yours. Treatment approaches are different for central, vs obstructive (more common) sleep apnea. Look deeper, ask lots of questions about the possible causes, because your situation has been long term. Good luck, and I hope you find a good doc who will dive into it with you!
Respectfully,
Upartist

@merrychristmas
Thank You. I have noticed changes in memory. Neuropsychologist stated cognitive was within range for my age (8 months ago). I do feel exhausted when I get out of bed, fatigue, low motivation, etc...

@upartist
Thank You. Respiratory Events: obstructive, central (lot more) and mixed apneas.

In the world of pulmonology, 02 sat levels should remain 88% and above. Anything below would require assessment by your pulmo Dr and treatment recommendations.

Fourleaf: I was first diagnosed with "severe" sleep apnea when I was 55 in 2010 using a home monitor testing kit. The doctor directed me to a room at the hospital where a person who looked like a teenager gave me a sleep apnea mask and C-Pap machine. Showed me how to use it. But after that, I was on my own. No support system. Just a place to go to pick up supplies. (tubing, etc) I probably wore the mask for a month. It was too claustrophobic. Knowing that my sleep study showed I was at my worse while laying on my back I sewed a tennis ball in my sleep shirt to wake me up if I rolled over on my back. Because of pressure from my husband, I had another sleep study in 2010, this time spending the night at a clinic. Once again diagnosed as severe. Once again given a C-Pap machine but this time a nasal canula, tubing that you place just inside your nose and it forces the air through that route. Once again, no support system in place. I was to get new supplies, when needed, not at the clinic where I spent the night but some shabby looking place on a strip mall with dirty carpets. The forced air through my nose via the cannula irritated my nasal passages. I last about 2 months on that machine. (I have since learned, was told 3 months ago by a sleep study technician, that the nasal cannulas only have about a 50% compliance/success rate because of nasal irritation.)On my own I went to a dentist who supposedly specializes in dental appliances for people with sleep apnea. (My sleep study doctor had already told me I was too severe for a dental appliance but I wanted to try that route since I wasn't having success with a C-Pap machine.) I ended up with TMJ. When I saw the dentist he said, "Sorry, I adjusted it too tight." It took 6 weeks to feel back to normal and I wasn't willing to use the dental appliance again even though the dentist had loosened it. Now I bought a stiff, oblong neck pillow and tied that around my waist to keep me from rolling on my back. Somehow I lost the pillow traveling. In December 2025 my PCP insisted I go for yet another sleep study. This time the sleep study doctor shared statistics with me. I learned that I had stopped breathing 83 times in an hour with my longest apnea being 45 seconds. I'm known for making a short story long, so the crux of this communication is to let you know that now I have been issued a BI-PAP machine instead of a C-PAP. It's life changing. So much better. Also, they now have what is called a nasal pillow, not a cannula. I am happy to report I am successfully using my BI-PAP machine with my nasal pillow every night with success. Also, my sleep study center also contracts with an outside provider to issue the machine and go into detail how to use it. They also call and check in with me about any problems. That support was not offered in years past. My regular dentist, who is in his 50s, shared with me that after 5 months he is still struggling to adjust to the C-Pap machine. Based on my story, he is going to purchase a BI-PAP machine instead. Good luck.

four leaf: As my post above suggests, I've had untreated sleep apnea for many years. To offer an answer to your inquiry of how does this affect one's brain, I was diagnosed a year ago via a brain MRI, with "chronic small vessel ischemic disease." I have read that this could be caused by sleep apnea.

Thank you for all the great information. I received a Bi-PAP machine this week and decided to try the nasal mask. Works great during the day - seals and feels good, but at night it seems I'm a mouth breather - Mask icon had Sad face. I was recommended to try the mask for two days before switching. Same results 2nd night. I went to the full face mask that I received at the hospital sleep study. It seals, Mask icon Happy face. Now I'm adjusting the humidity level - recommended 1 increment at a time.

Also, Since Google listens to everything now... You tube feed suggested SleepDoctor channel (also website http://www.sleepdoctor.com).
- Youtube 5 HUGE Mistakes New CPAP Users Make https://youtu.be/ri18DPhkBho
- How to Properly Clean Your CPAP Machine, Mask and Hose (step by step) https://youtu.be/fxMMdMWZN7M

Very good information.

🍀