Which of the following conditions can result from untreated obstructive sleep apnea?

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can lead to cognitive impairment due to several interconnected factors. When an individual has obstructive sleep apnea, their airway becomes repeatedly blocked during sleep, leading to disrupted breathing, fragmented sleep, and significant drops in oxygen levels. This disturbance can impede the restorative functions of sleep, which are crucial for brain health, memory consolidation, and overall cognitive functioning.

Moreover, the recurrent arousals and the resultant sleep deprivation can cause problems with attention, concentration, and memory. Chronic oxygen deprivation can also contribute to long-term neurological changes, possibly increasing the risk for conditions like dementia over time. Therefore, individuals with untreated obstructive sleep apnea often experience difficulties with cognitive tasks and may show signs of cognitive decline.

In contrast, while conditions like kidney disease, liver failure, or high cholesterol levels can indeed be severe health concerns, their direct connection to untreated obstructive sleep apnea is less clear. These conditions may arise from various risk factors, including lifestyle choices, genetic predispositions, and other comorbidities, but they are not as directly correlated to the immediate effects of disrupted sleep and oxygen deprivation caused by sleep apnea as cognitive impairment is.