What is a key reason to address untreated sleep apnea?

Addressing untreated sleep apnea is critical because it can significantly worsen cognitive decline. Sleep apnea leads to repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can cause fragmented sleep patterns. This disruption undermines the quality of rest and can lead to daytime fatigue, reduced attention span, memory problems, and other cognitive impairments. Over time, chronic sleep deprivation associated with untreated sleep apnea is linked to an increased risk of conditions such as dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. By effectively treating sleep apnea, patients often experience improvements in cognitive function and overall mental clarity.

In contrast, the other choices either suggest a neutral or immediate positive effect, which does not accurately reflect the long-term consequences of untreated sleep apnea on cognitive abilities.