The Dramatic Cycle of Sleep Apnea & Weight Gain
Nobody likes being overweight or obese. At the very least, it can cause breathlessness, back and joint pain, and tiredness during the day. Genetics play a role in weight, but we can also attribute some of the blame on the difficulty of weight loss. For people who suffer from sleep apnea, weight change can be burdensome—but life-changing.
There’s a significant connection between sleep apnea and weight. One of the substantial risk factors for sleep apnea is obesity or being overweight because it can affect how you breathe throughout the night. Additionally, weight gain can expedite the development of other health issues linked to sleep apnea, including cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Sadly, sleep apnea can cause you to gain more weight. In a 2011 study from the International Journal of Obesity, researchers found that “sleep complications often contribute to weight gain.” This information shows us how dangerous the sleep apnea and weight gain cycle is, and why we need to take action against it.
Weight Loss Can Do Wonders
Weight loss is one of the most influential solutions for anyone that is overweight and has sleep apnea. In a Swedish study, researchers from the Karolinska Institute saw a decrease in men’s sleep apnea symptoms after introducing a nine-week long weight loss program. Participants noticed a 58% decrease in the severity of their symptoms.
Furthermore, weight loss can help you avoid dangerous complications correlated with sleep apnea such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Weight loss can be crucial, so much so that the American College of Physicians recommend it as the first treatment to try for sleep apnea relief.
Pick Exciting or Enjoyable Exercise
Working out at a gym can be expensive, annoying, and awkward for anyone who’s new to exercise. Furthermore, tracking your progress can be time-consuming, and if you don’t see the results that you expect, it can demotivate you. Exercise is necessary because it gives us energy, confidence, and a better night’s rest.
You can obtain sleep apnea relief with moderate exercise—it doesn’t need to be an intense workout. Some of the best workouts are ones that you find enjoyable. This is because you’re more likely to maintain a workout routine that you enjoy compared to a more intensive one that bothers you. Dr. Garceau advises her patients to find activities that are easily accessible and something you can have fun doing.
Do you like walking? Try doing laps along the beach or in your local mall. Do you like sports? Head down to your local community center and see what programs they offer. The forms of exercise are endless, and they will all positively influence your sleep apnea—and your life.
Change the Way You Eat
In a 2017 study, researchers found that weight loss and dieting are the cornerstones of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) relief. Although, this doesn’t mean that you should subject yourself to bland foods. Typically, a person will lose about 5-10% of their weight when they start dieting, but the weight returns. So instead of focusing on the particular diet, try monitoring the food you eat, decreasing the number of calories, and continue exercising and dieting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can weight loss cure sleep apnea?
While weight loss can drastically improve your sleep apnea symptoms, most sleep apnea cases can’t be permanently cured. However, weight loss has been shown to reduce symptoms for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
OSA causes you to stop breathing due to a blockage in the airway. In some cases, the weight of your neck narrows and blocks the airway during sleep. As a result, losing weight can help clear your airway and significantly improve your sleep apnea symptoms.
Before starting any weight loss program, make sure to talk with Dr. Garceau about your goals and what impact weight loss may have on your symptoms.
Can people who aren’t overweight have sleep apnea?
Yes — while being overweight is a common underlying cause of sleep apnea, people of all sizes and ages can develop the disorder. That’s why it’s essential to take careful note of any symptoms you’re experiencing and undergo a sleep test if you think there’s even a chance you have sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is affected by many factors besides weight. For example, a larger neck circumference or smaller airway due to anatomical development can be the cause of breathing problems. Maintaining a healthy body weight won’t guarantee that you don’t develop sleep apnea, but it should at least help you manage your symptoms.