Are you feeling more tired during the day? This shift in your sleep could point to something serious
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It’s easy to brush off a little daytime drowsiness—especially as we get older.
A quick nap in the afternoon, nodding off during a show, or feeling sluggish after lunch might seem harmless.
But recent findings suggest that this sleepy pattern could be an early sign of a deeper issue—one that often goes unnoticed until it's too late.
A growing body of research is now pointing to daytime sleepiness as a potential early signal of dementia in older women.
According to a recent study led by Yue Leng, PhD, at the University of California, San Francisco, women in their 80s who experienced increasing daytime sleepiness over five years had twice the risk of developing dementia compared to those with stable sleep habits.
Dr. Leng explained, “Sleep is essential for cognitive health, as it allows the brain to rest and rejuvenate, enhancing our ability to think clearly and remember information.”
The researchers followed 733 women with an average age of 83 and without dementia or mild cognitive impairment at the start.
Each participant wore a wrist device that tracked their sleep duration, quality, and circadian rhythms at the beginning and end of the five-year study.
By the end, 22% of participants had developed mild cognitive impairment, while 13% had developed dementia.
Also read: A mom of six ignored these 4 symptoms—what she learned about cancer could save lives
The women’s sleep changes were grouped into three patterns:
Even after accounting for other factors like age, education, and health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, researchers found the increased sleepiness group was twice as likely to develop dementia.
Also read: Warning: What your feet reveal about your heart health
No significant dementia risk was found among those with declining nighttime sleep alone.
Dr. Leng noted, “We observed that sleeping, napping, and circadian rhythms can change dramatically over only five years for women in their 80s.”
She added that these shifts “may serve as an early marker or risk factor for dementia.”
What you can do to protect your brain
While the study involved mostly white participants and may not represent everyone, experts agree the message is clear—your sleep patterns matter.
Here are some expert-backed steps that may help reduce dementia risk:
Have you or a loved one noticed changes in your sleep? Do you have strategies to support better rest or brain health? Let us know in the comments. Your shared experiences could help others recognize early signs and take action.
Read next: Are these hidden health risks affecting you? What one doctor says you should know
A quick nap in the afternoon, nodding off during a show, or feeling sluggish after lunch might seem harmless.
But recent findings suggest that this sleepy pattern could be an early sign of a deeper issue—one that often goes unnoticed until it's too late.
A growing body of research is now pointing to daytime sleepiness as a potential early signal of dementia in older women.
According to a recent study led by Yue Leng, PhD, at the University of California, San Francisco, women in their 80s who experienced increasing daytime sleepiness over five years had twice the risk of developing dementia compared to those with stable sleep habits.
Dr. Leng explained, “Sleep is essential for cognitive health, as it allows the brain to rest and rejuvenate, enhancing our ability to think clearly and remember information.”
Increased daytime sleepiness may double the risk of developing dementia in women in their 80s. Image source: Yan Berthemy / Unsplash
The researchers followed 733 women with an average age of 83 and without dementia or mild cognitive impairment at the start.
Each participant wore a wrist device that tracked their sleep duration, quality, and circadian rhythms at the beginning and end of the five-year study.
By the end, 22% of participants had developed mild cognitive impairment, while 13% had developed dementia.
Also read: A mom of six ignored these 4 symptoms—what she learned about cancer could save lives
The women’s sleep changes were grouped into three patterns:
- Stable or improving sleep (44%);
- Declining nighttime sleep (35%), which included reduced sleep duration and quality, moderate increases in napping, and worsening circadian rhythms;
- Increasing sleepiness (21%), characterized by increased nighttime and daytime sleep duration and quality, along with worsening circadian rhythms.
Even after accounting for other factors like age, education, and health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, researchers found the increased sleepiness group was twice as likely to develop dementia.
Also read: Warning: What your feet reveal about your heart health
No significant dementia risk was found among those with declining nighttime sleep alone.
Dr. Leng noted, “We observed that sleeping, napping, and circadian rhythms can change dramatically over only five years for women in their 80s.”
She added that these shifts “may serve as an early marker or risk factor for dementia.”
What you can do to protect your brain
While the study involved mostly white participants and may not represent everyone, experts agree the message is clear—your sleep patterns matter.
Here are some expert-backed steps that may help reduce dementia risk:
- Stay physically active – Regular exercise helps blood flow to the brain.
- Keep mentally and socially engaged – Reading, puzzles, and staying connected can stimulate cognitive function.
- Manage your health conditions – Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes under control.
- Drink alcohol in moderation – No more than 14 units per week is recommended to protect brain and organ health.
Read next: Are these hidden health risks affecting you? What one doctor says you should know
