This behavior can be an early sign of dementia

Dementia is a common problem in people over the age of 65. The condition, which is often confused with the normal signs of aging, affects 2 in 100 adults. Now a new study has found a link between the condition and excessive napping.

The study, published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, showed that seniors who napped once a day or for more than an hour a day were 40% more likely to develop dementia. This is a difficult symptom to single out as older adults tend to nap more frequently due to the changing demands of their bodies.

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Photo by Mpho Mojapelo via Unsplash

To get results, the researchers gathered information from a study that included the data of 1,400 people between the ages of 14 and 88 and tracked them for 14 years. 14 days a year, these people wore trackers that signaled their patterns and movements, including whether or not they were sleeping.

“Regardless of the reason, falling asleep during the day or excessive napping raises my antenna to focus on whether the person is at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline,” said Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at the Center for Brain Health at Florida Atlantic University.

Although there isn’t enough information to determine whether the relationship between napping and dementia is causal (meaning one doesn’t trigger the other), the study’s results are significant enough to lead researchers to believe that excessive napping could be a symptom of a larger problem and may indicate brain deterioration.

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When it comes to sleep, the majority of people think more is better. This is the case in most periods of life when people are growing up or busy with work and commitments. With older adults, it is important for family members and caregivers to be informed and to keep an eye on behavioral changes.