Issue 28.16
Just one night of poor sleep can make older adults actually age faster. That’s the conclusion of a recent study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The study also determined that sleep deprivation could be linked to a greater risk of disease.
The research study involved 29 individuals between the ages of 61 and 86 over a four-night period in Los Angeles. During the study, sleep quality was analyzed, and blood samples were taken each morning. These blood samples revealed that a single night of poor sleep activates gene patterns that are commonly associated with faster aging.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Judith Carroll from the UCLA Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology in Los Angeles, said, “Our data support the hypothesis that one night of not getting enough sleep in older adults activates important biological pathways that promote biological aging.”
Even though we were not involved with the study, Premier Sleep Solutions’ staff in St. George and Salt Lake City has long recognized the importance of sleep and overall health.
Premier Sleep Solutions specializes in treating patients suffering from sleep apnea by fitting them with custom-made oral appliances. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly, and you feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Premier Sleep Solutions’ oral appliances, which are similar to bleach trays in appearance, can often be used in place of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. While CPAP machines have been used for years, recent research has shown that in many cases, custom-made oral appliances can be as effective as CPAP in treating sleep apnea. Plus, a substantial percentage of patients find CPAP machines to be so cumbersome that they eventually refuse to use them regularly, and their overall health suffers.
Most insurance companies now cover oral appliance therapy and the oral appliances. Medicare is leading the way relative to standard of care within the industry.
For a limited time, Premier Sleep Solutions in St. George is offering free sleep consultations. This is normally a $200 value.
Dr. Shad Morris, DMD, is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, the only certified diplomate of the American Academy of Sleep and Breathing in Southern Utah, and CEO of Premier Sleep Solutions LLC.
For more information or to schedule a sleep consultation, contact Premier Sleep Solutions in St. George at (435)319-0478 or visit www.premiersleepsolutions.com. Premier Sleep Solutions has offices in St. George and Salt Lake City. The St. George office is located at 75 South 100 East, #1E, St. George, UT 84770.