Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when the upper airway is blocked during sleep. As a result, it creates breathing problems and repeated awakenings during the sleep cycle.
Sleep and Inflammation
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902075211.htm. An article in the September 2008 issue of the Biological Psychiatry Journal reported that losing a little sleep at night can trigger inflammation. Researchers measured (NF)-ĸB, nuclear factor kappa B, levels that regulate the body’s inflammatory responses.
Those with more sleep had higher levels of (NF)-ĸB compared to those missing a portion of their normal sleep cycle. Higher levels of inflammation occur because of OSA-caused awakenings during the night.
Sleep and Oxidative Stress
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-40989-6. The rest, repair, and recuperation during sleep eliminate ROS (reactive oxygen species) that our bodies generate when we are awake. Impairing the sleep cycle retains levels of oxidative stress that would have usually been removed from the body. Again, OSA causes interrupted sleep intervals not conducive to eliminating oxidative stress.
CPAP and Sleep
https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/sleep-apnea-aging-cpap-treatment/2022/03/21/id/1062134/. A recent small sleep study (https://erj.ersjournals.com/) measured two dozen people diagnosed with OSA before and after using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines. The participants’ blood and DA were analyzed to measure biological age. This sleep study lasted one year.
Those with OSA and not using CPAP machines were found to have accelerated the biological aging processes. CPAP machine keeps the airways open, and the body receives a steady flow of oxygen, reducing or eliminating sleep disruptions. Those using CPAP machines showed slower signs of aging.
Reducing OSA sleep disruptions by using CPAP machines reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, which, in turn, lowers the rate of aging.
Conclusion
OSA is one of several factors that can increase the rate of aging. Smoking and diet are two causes that were also identified and addressed during this study. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of other health issues besides aging. High blood pressure, stroke, and mental decline are frequently observed in patients with untreated sleep apnea.
Check with your doctor when you have issues getting consistent sleep issues. Stress is a significant cause of sleep difficulty and can be managed with a more aggressive stress management program. Reducing alcohol levels before bedtime helps also. Plan your last meal of the day at least three hours before bedtime.
Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughin – RedOLaughlin.com
Hello Red!
I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea last year. My father also had it. I’m still trying to get used to my CPAP machine!! Some nights I use it and some, I don’t. I know I’m only hurting myself by not being more diligent in using it and need to be more consistent. Since my TIA in the early ’90’s my short term memory has progressively gotten worse! Dementia unfortunately runs in my family. My maternal grandmother had it, my mother had Lewy-body Dementia and my father had Vascular Dementia. I am awaiting the results of an MRI of my brain to see where I stand with this horrible disease. I’m dreading the results, but I need to know, because unlike my parents, I don’t have children to look after me and need to prepare for the future.
I’ve been going through the Disability process and will be going before a Disability Appeal Judge on April 6th, so I ask for your prayers. I’m still unable to work and will never be able to work. God willing this Judge will finally apporve my Disability claim, in Jesus holy name I paray!!
My sleep pattern has been disrupted for many years and now with the pain I’m in, it has become much worse. With Sleep Apnea, I’m hardly sleeping at all. I need to become more disciplined in wearing my CPAP machine at night because I now know that is also contributing to my memory issues! I’ve always know that during the night while we sleep is how our brains process what we experience in life and regenerate our bodies and fix what needs to be fixed. God is amazing and it never ceases to amaze me how the intricacies of our bodies and its functions all work in unison to repair itself! Where possible, anyway! And according to His Holy Will!!
You and your family are always in my prayers! Please give my love to Marilyn!
With all my love and respect,
Deborah
Yes, absolutely, Marilyn and I will add you to our daily prayers. You might consider EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) as an aide to go to sleep. Watch some YouTube videos and follow along. I prefer Brad Yates when I want a good EFT reference. Enter EFT, Sleep, and Brad Yates in the YouTube search. RED
Thank you Red! And I will look up those videos on YouTube!
Blessings!
Debbie Orosco
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