According to a recent study, sleep disordered breathing (SDB) can speed up aging as it disrupts the person’s nightly sleep. The study was presented during Sleep 2019: 33rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.
SDB is a common disorder which results in a drop in oxygen levels throughout the night and can be associated with other age-related health disorders.
Higher SDB severity and sleep disruption were linked to epigenetic age acceleration. An increase in the individual’s Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), the measure of SDB severity, can be associated with an equivalent of 215 days of biological age acceleration. Furthermore, the study found that an increase in sleep disruption due to arousals is linked to an equivalent of 321 days of age acceleration.
If you are sleep deprived, or feel fatigued during the day, consult with your physician and get tested for sleep apnea. Left untreated, SDB such as obstructive sleep apnea can pose great risks to one’s overall health. Therefore, it is important to get a proper diagnosis as well as proper treatment.
Reference: Sleep-Disordered Breathing Tied to Accelerated Aging – Medscape – June 13, 2019.
