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Why Can’t I Focus? How Sleep Apnea Disrupts Brain Clarity and Concentration

June 5, 2025

If you're constantly feeling distracted, forgetful, or mentally flat, the problem may not be stress or lack of motivation — it might be your sleep. More specifically, it could be a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which affects how your brain functions even while you're awake.

OSA is a common sleep disorder where the upper airway repeatedly becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start throughout the night.1 These disruptions can happen dozens, even hundreds, of times per night — often without the sleeper knowing. But each episode causes a drop in oxygen and pulls the brain out of deep, restorative sleep.2

The brain is incredibly sensitive to oxygen levels. During episodes of intermittent hypoxia (periods of low oxygen) caused by OSA, brain cells don’t get the fuel they need to operate properly. Over time, this can lead to inflammation, damage to brain tissue, and even changes in brain structure.2

Studies have shown that people with untreated sleep apnea have reduced grey matter volume and damaged white matter in areas of the brain that control memory, focus, and decision-making.2 These changes don’t just show up on scans — they’re felt in everyday life as trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, and a general sense of mental fog.

In addition to reduced oxygen, people with OSA experience sleep fragmentation. Each time breathing stops and the brain partially wakes to restart it, the sleep cycle is interrupted. Even if you’re in bed for eight hours, your brain may not reach or maintain the deep stages of sleep that are essential for learning, emotional regulation, and memory processing.2

This double blow — oxygen deprivation and poor-quality sleep — significantly impacts daytime brain performance. Clinical research consistently shows that individuals with OSA score lower in tests of attention span, memory, problem-solving, and verbal skills.3,4 These effects can begin early and often worsen over time if the condition goes untreated.

OSA is more common than many people realise. It’s estimated to affect up to 27% of middle-aged men and 9% of middle-aged women – but most remain undiagnosed.5 Brain fog and fatigue are often one of the first noticeable symptoms, long before people are aware of disrupted breathing or loud snoring at night.1

The good news? OSA has effective treatment. CPAP therapy – a bedside machine which gently blows air through a mask to keep your airway open and eliminate symptoms – is the gold standard treatment.6

If you’re feeling tired and mentally unfocused despite getting a full night’s sleep, consider talking to your doctor. A simple at-home sleep study can diagnose sleep apnea. You don’t have to live in a haze – clearer thinking could just be one step away.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

  1. Meyer, Emily J, and Gary Wittert. “Approach the Patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, vol. 109, no. 3, 27 Sept. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgad572.
  2. Lee, Min-Hee, et al. “Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with White Matter Integrity and Cognitive Performance over a 4-Year Period in Middle to Late Adulthood.” JAMA Network Open, vol. 5, no. 7, 20 July 2022, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.22999.
  3. Stranks, Elizabeth K., and Simon F. Crowe. “The Cognitive Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An Updated Meta-Analysis.” Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 6 Jan. 2016, https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acv087.
  4. Vanek, Jakub, et al. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Depression and Cognitive Impairment.” Sleep Medicine, vol. 72, Aug. 2020, pp. 50–58, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.03.017.
  5. Olaithe, Michelle, et al. “Cognitive Deficits in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Insights from a Meta-Review and Comparison with Deficits Observed in COPD, Insomnia, and Sleep Deprivation.” Sleep Medicine Reviews, vol. 38, Apr. 2018, pp. 39–49, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2017.03.005.
  6. Andrade, Rafaela G. S., et al. “Nasal vs Oronasal CPAP for OSA Treatment: A Meta-Analysis.” Chest, vol. 153, no. 3, 1 Mar. 2018, pp. 665–674, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2017.10.044.