What is Biden’s sleep apnea and how is it handled?

As we age, our muscles naturally weaken, particularly in the soft palate and neck, leading to an increased risk of sleep apnea. While sleep apnea is often less severe in older individuals compared to younger ones, those over 50 are more prone to developing it.

Sleep apnea can have serious health consequences, such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and even premature death, warns the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. This condition disrupts the sleep cycle, causing numerous brief awakenings during the night.

Understanding the importance of deep sleep is vital in recognizing the impact of sleep disorders. Deep sleep plays a crucial role in the body’s cellular repair, memory consolidation, immune system function, and the removal of harmful substances, like the Alzheimer’s-related beta-amyloid protein.