How Sleep Apnea Could Be Aging You Faster

You work hard to fight the signs of aging.  You eat a (mostly) nutritious diet, you wear an SPF when you go outside, and you try to get as much physical activity as you can. But what happens if all your efforts become counterbalanced by your sleep schedule? For patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) this isn’t just a nightmare scenario: it could already be happening in real time. Here’s a closer look at how sleep disorders like OSA can make you age faster, and how your dentist (yes, really!) can help you turn back the hands of time!

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that occurs when the airway becomes obstructed during sleep as the muscles in your throat relax. Often, because it occurs during sleep, patients are unaware they even have the condition, and it is first noticed by a sleep partner.  Symptoms of OSA include snoring, gasping or choking for air during sleep, and frequent waking. Patients may also feel exhausted even if they “slept” a full eight hours or more and may even have morning headaches or sore throats.

The Dangers of OSA

In addition to ruining your sleep, OSA can also cause a variety of overall health problems that can have serious consequences. Deprivation could cause cognitive impairment, making it dangerous to operate a vehicle or other machinery. Furthermore, the lack of oxygen your body receives throughout the night can worsen conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers.

How Does OSA Age You?

Another lesser-known side effect of OSA is rapid aging.  In addition to making you look and feel more tired in general, it has also been found to affect your hormones, which can prevent your body’s natural ability to repair itself and is necessary for cell turnover. It can also increase inflammation, and even shorten the telomeres attached to your DNA (a biological marker in the aging process).

How Do Dentist’s Treat OSA?

The good news is that if you suffer OSA, your dentist has treatment options available to help. A custom-made appliance designed to prop open your airway as you sleep can help improve your breathing, allowing you to get a comfortable night’s rest without the use of more traditional devices like CPAP. These orthotics require no machinery, tubing, or uncomfortable masks, and because they have no electronic components, can be used anywhere. Most wearers find them much more pleasant to use than CPAP, and as a result are generally more treatment compliant, meaning not only do they experience all the benefits of a comfortable sleep (including normal aging patterns), but their partners can finally get proper rest, too!

Remember, all the lotions, potions, and vitamins in the world can’t help reversing the hands of time if your own body won’t let you rest. So, stop struggling to get the shuteye you deserve. Talk to your dentist about sleep apnea treatment today and start sleeping like a baby!

About Dr. Jariwala

Dr. Kinnari Jariwala may not have unlocked the fountain of youth (yet!) but she is proud to provide comfortable, high-quality sleep apnea treatment to help you look and feel your best. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, she has devoted her post-graduate education to helping patients with TMJ and sleep disorders.  Currently, she is a current, active member of the American Dental Association, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, and the American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine just to name a few. To schedule a consultation for sleep apnea treatment at the Center for Dental Sleep Medicine and TMJ of New Mexico, visit our website or call 505-433-2107.