Failing to get adequate rest each night does more than make you fatigued, grouchy, and forgetful. It also affects your overall health. However, what you may not realize is that, according to researchers, sleep apnea can be the reason your biological age is speeding up. Is there anything you can do to stop it or reverse this progression? Keep reading to find out what to look for so you can get the help you need.
What Does the Research Say?
Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine discovered a few years ago that untreated sleep apnea, specifically obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is linked to accelerated biological aging. Fortunately, with treatment, the process can be slowed or reversed.
Although age acceleration can be caused by various factors (smoking, pollution, poor diet), OSA is believed to lower oxygen levels during episodes, thereby accelerating biological age. Without treatment, your body can suffer:
- Worsening Inflammation: Many age-related conditions and diseases produce symptoms that include inflammation (heart disease, cognitive decline, etc.) OSA triggers inflammation throughout the body.
- Cellular Aging: Telomeres are DNA protective caps that are associated with biological aging. It is believed that sleep apnea can shorten telomeres.
- Facial Aging: Poor skin and facial sagging can stem from inadequate rest. When OSA goes untreated, you may begin to see an older face in the mirror.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Sleep is essential for stable hormones, so if you are not getting enough rest, you’ll experience an imbalance that causes melatonin and HGH deficiencies.
How Do You Know When You Need Help?
As soon as you begin to notice (or your bed partner does) that you are snoring loudly, feeling fatigued when you wake up, experiencing headaches, or becoming forgetful, make an appointment with your doctor.
Getting tested for sleep apnea is essential if you want to slow or reverse biological aging, chronic fatigue, and many overall health problems. Once you are formally diagnosed, your dentist can recommend appropriate treatment options to help with your OSA symptoms. This may include wearing an oral appliance that keeps your airway open throughout the night by preventing muscle collapse.
Inadequate rest can leave you feeling tired and looking older, so take the proper steps to get the sleep apnea treatment you need to restore your overall health and start feeling like yourself again.
About Grand Dental – South Elgin
At Grand Dental – South Elgin, our dentists have advanced training in sleep apnea treatment, helping patients who are struggling to breathe throughout the night. With custom-made oral appliances, we can help individuals rest more easily and avoid interruptions that can lead to serious health problems. If you want to start getting a good night’s sleep again, visit our website or call us at (847) 999-0935 to schedule an appointment.