Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence & Thinking™
Welcome to the HABIT page for people living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and program participants. The HABIT Program is for individuals with MCI and their loved ones to learn the best strategies for adapting, coping, and living their best lives with MCI.
Follow the HABIT page to receive updates and information about adjusting to MCI and combating dementia. Our goal is to connect you with others and provide you with information and support.
Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder in the general population and also a common sleep disorder in our patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where individuals stop breathing at night (and then gasp themselves into breathing again). Take a look at this link if you want more information on sleep apnea. My husband actually has sleep apnea, finally diagnosed after we were married, and I discovered the extent of his snoring and gasping for breath at night (in between the scary silent pauses when he wasn’t breathing at all).
In our patients with MCI, sleep problems are a significant cause of “excess disability”—it makes a person’s memory or thinking problem worse. One of our major aims in the Mayo Clinic HABIT Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking © program is to identify and treat anything that could make MCI worse. Sleep apnea is one of those that is very common.
Using a CPAP machine, or continuous positive airway pressure machine, or a related device, is a very common treatment recommendation, and CPAPs are very effective treatment. The problem is many, many individuals, including my husband, have trouble adjusting to using a CPAP machine. But treating your sleep apnea goes beyond just helping your memory: treating sleep apnea also has a major impact on your physical health. Importantly, complications of sleep apnea also increase your risk of heart problems and heart disease...Not to mention sleep deprived bed partners!
Some individuals take to a CPAP or related device right away. For others, it is a struggle. I will get to some behavioral strategies for helping yourself adapt next week, but first, it is important to be sure you’ve done all you can to be sure you have the equipment that is the right fit for you. Sometimes, all it takes is the right mask and voila! CPAP and (quiet) dreamland are all yours. The variety of device options is not my area of expertise, so first, be sure you’ve explored with your physician or device supplier the following:
These are just a few observations as a spouse of a loved one who had to explore lots of equipment before finding what was right for him. Turns out, he needed the pressure ramp up because he couldn’t tolerate the full pressure right away. He also really needed the humidifier. We live in Arizona, and his first machine didn’t have one. Talk about a dry mouth in the morning!
Now that you know why it is important, and some important first steps to try with your doctor, check back next week for more behavioral strategies if adjustment is still difficult.
Excellent informative comments/information for anyone who is currently using CPAP to treat obstructive sleep Apnea.
COMMENTGreat information, Dona. I shared the post in Connect's Sleep Health group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/sleep-health/
There are several discussions where members are talking about adjusting to the CPAP and BiPap machines, asking questions, sharing tips and getting good sleep, like these ones:
> Cpap and sleep https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cpap-and-sleep/
> Stuffed nose from CPAP https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stuff-nose-from-cpap/
> CPAP machine for travel https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cpap-machine-for-travel/
> cPAP silicone allergy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/cpap-silicone-allergy/
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor, Lisa Lucier
I am so sorry to hear of his decline. I can understand your concern about his refusal to use the CPAP.
Is his refusal to use the CPAP typical for him (not trying new things), or does it seem to be part of his MCI and/or dementia? Would he be willing to try any of these new masks?
Teresa
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
Hello @jal333, welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear that your huband has MCI and sleep apnea and refuses to use a CPAP. As a new user to CPAP I can tell you I don't like it either but it's better than the alternative when you stop breathing.
Does your husband have any friends that use a CPAP? Sometimes it helps to talk with others in the same situation.
John
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Ron Rubenzer
I used a CPAP for 15-years. I quit due to the gouges it cut into my face.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
I struggled with a variety of masks. A nasel pillow was the answer for me.
COMMENTHi @stephenluptak — were you able to try different masks to see if it helped with the fit and gouging into your face?
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
Hi @nussey, Welcome to Connect. I'm glad you found that a nasal pillow worked better for you. It does confirm that each of us are different with what works for us. Thanks for sharing.
John
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
I tried various masks but after a few months,the plastic in each of these masks would cut into my face. Therefore, i discontinued CPAPs against the advise of my physician. A friend made several suggestions, but none would be covered by my Medicare Advantage plan.
COMMENTI am not familiar with nasal pillows, Please tell me more.
COMMENTHere is a website that displays nasal pillows. https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-nasal-pillows-3015323
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor, Lisa Lucier
@stephenluptak there are also CPAP mask liners you can get that cover the part of the mask that touches your skin and helps keep your face from getting irritated or sore. Here's an example of one to give you an idea but there are others available.
— https://www.sleeprestfully.com/Silent_Night/
John
@debbraw
I'm thankful that my husband doesn't have this, but I have a good friend whose husband is struggling with sleep apnea. I'm going to share this page. Thanks for great suggestions.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor, Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Dr. Dona Locke, HABIT AZ Director