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We all know the telltale signs of aging: crow's feet, wrinkles, age spots. But those are just on the surface. What really matters for your long-term health is how your body is aging on the inside. Keep an eye out for these red flags.

Cotton Mouth
Cotton mouth in the morning may be a sign of sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. To figure out if you have it, determine your "snore score" by answering the following questions. For every "yes" answer, give yourself a point:

• Do you snore?
• Do you wake up groggy or with a headache?
• Do you feel constantly tired or fatigued during the day?
• Do you fall asleep reading, watching TV, or driving?
• Do you have problems with memory or concentration?

If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, you're at risk for sleep apnea and you should see your doctor. In the mean time, be sure to sleep on your side. Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to rest against the back of your throat and block your airway. Taping a tennis ball under your back or placing a pillow between your legs can be helpful way to ensure a safer night's sleep by ensuring you stay on your side the entire night.

Red Eyes
Inflamed eyes could be a sign of arthritis, the painful inflammation and stiffening of joints. The same cellular process that causes inflammation in your joints can cause inflammation in your eyes, turning them red.

Studies have shown that the sooner you treat arthritis, the better the long-term results, so visit your doctor at the first sign of trouble. To help stave off or relieve arthritis, try taking feverfew, a plant with a long history of use in traditional and folk medicine. Available at health food stores, feverfew has great anti-inflammatory properties; take 1 to 2 capsules per day.

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