Even though getting older is a great privilege, there are very few people who would wish to speed up the process! Unfortunately, certain conditions can make you seem and
feel older than you are — including
sleep apnea. How exactly does poor sleep accelerate aging, and is there anything you can do to hold onto your youth? This blog post shares some helpful information.
Understanding Biological vs. Chronological Age
You may be familiar with the concept of
chronological age, which is simply the number of years you have lived since birth. However,
biological age refers to how well your body and cells are functioning relative to your actual age. While chronological age is fixed, biological age can vary widely based on lifestyle factors, genetics, and health conditions. The relevance of biological age lies in its ability to provide a more accurate picture of your overall health and vitality, which may not always match your chronological age.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Biological Aging
Sleep apnea is a condition that disrupts your breathing during sleep, causing frequent awakenings and decreased oxygen levels. These disruptions can accelerate biological aging by placing extra stress on your body’s systems. For example:
- Chronic sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea can lead to increased inflammation, which is associated with premature aging.
- Interrupted sleep interferes with the body’s natural repair processes, making it harder for cells to recover from daily wear and tear.
- Poor sleep quality is linked to cognitive decline, memory problems, and reduced mental sharpness, which are common signs of aging.
- Sleep apnea may contribute to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and weakened immune function, all of which can make you feel older than you are.
Indeed,
research has found that sleep-disordered breathing (which is a hallmark of sleep apnea) can hasten the body’s aging process at a cellular level.
Recognizing and Treating Sleep Apnea to Stay Young
While the above information might seem discouraging, there is good news! Timely treatment may slow down the biological aging process or even reverse it to an extent. Be sure to seek care if you are experiencing signs of sleep apnea, such as loud snoring, daytime exhaustion, and poor mental focus. If your partner observes that you sometimes stop breathing at night, that is also a big red flag.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may benefit from an oral appliance, a custom device from a dentist that supports healthy breathing during sleep. With consistent use, you may find that you feel more alert and your overall health improves. You are likely to feel younger!
Sleep apnea can speed up the clock on your body’s aging process! Be aware of its signs so you can receive appropriate care and maintain your measure of youth for as long as possible.
Meet the Practice
At the Center for Contemporary Dentistry in Belmont, our team is proud to offer oral appliance therapy for patients with sleep apnea. These custom devices are designed to be comfortable, effective, and user-friendly. If you have been struggling to feel well-rested lately, we would be happy to advise you on your next steps.
Contact our office at 603-556-7047.
