The Link Between Weight and Sleep Apnea
For patients who suffer from sleep apnea, weight changes can be especially hard.
Our Waxahachie, TX, sleep dentist, Dr. Scott Clinton, explains there’s a strong relationship between sleep apnea and weight. Being overweight is an important risk factor for sleep apnea because it can negatively affect your ability to breathe while you sleep. Learn more about this link and what you can do.
The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Weight
Sleep apnea can cause you to gain weight. A 2011 study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that “sleep problems likely contribute to weight gain.” A 2013 study published by the National Academy of Sciences supports these results, finding that men who don’t get enough sleep will put on weight.
In a controlled experiment, men who slept only five hours a week gained one to two pounds per week, on average. Other studies, including one published in 2010 and another in 2004, provide additional evidence.
Does Weight Contribute to Sleep Apnea?
One of the biggest risk factors for developing OSA is being overweight or obese. Excess fat stores in the neck region can obstruct breathing by narrowing the airway. Around 70 percent of people with OSA are overweight. Typically, the more overweight someone is the more severe their OSA symptoms.
There are several reasons weight contributes to sleep apnea:
- Fat deposits around the neck and throat obstruct the airway at night.
- Obesity promotes inflammation which can further narrow the airway.
- Obesity reduces lung volume and diminishes the strength of breathing control muscles.
- Leptin resistance associated with obesity may impair breathing regulation during sleep.
Do CPAP Machines Cause Weight Gain?
CPAP machines are a common treatment for sleep apnea. four out of five CPAP users don’t use their machines for the full recommended amount of time each night because they can be loud and uncomfortable. Weight gain may be another issue associated with CPAP use.
According to Dr. Frank Domino, in a 2015 study that looked at over 3,000 patients, on average, CPAP users see increases in their body-mass index. This result is independent of age, gender, baseline weight, CPAP compliance, and the severity of sleep apnea.
The Power of Weight Loss in Sleep Apnea Treatment
Weight loss is a powerful holistic treatment for sleep apnea. A 2009 study published by Sweden’s Karolinska Institute found evidence of sleep apnea symptom alleviation in men who restricted their diets over nine weeks. Concretely, they found a 58 percent improvement in symptoms over that period.
Weight loss also helps with reducing the risk of associated complications, such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Weight loss is the first sleep apnea treatment emphasized by the American College of Physicians.
Aerobic and Enjoyable Exercise to Lose Weight
Working out can be a difficult lifestyle change to make, but it’s important. Exercise can give you energy, confidence, and it can help you sleep better. And the good news is you don’t need to be in the gym all the time to see results.
Some of the best exercise is enjoyable and more easily sustainable. Exercises like aerobic exercise are great to begin with — hiking, walking along the beach, and playing sports can all help. Exercise can help you to open a new chapter of your life by becoming healthier and improving the symptoms of your sleep apnea.
Your Diet Can Save Your Life
In a 2017 study, researchers found that OSA therapy is significantly more effective when paired with lifestyle changes such as weight loss. When combined with exercise, a diet change can be a powerful tool for becoming healthier and stronger.
In 2011, researchers found that something as easy as a Mediterranean diet can improve the symptoms of sleep apnea. The Mediterranean diet is also good for heart health and can reduce the risk of Parkinson’s, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. This diet includes foods that many people already love, too. Finding a diet you can adhere to long-term is vital to feeling rejuvenated and regaining control of your life and sleep.
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 cured. Weight loss reduces sleep disorder symptoms for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In OSA, you stop breathing because air stops flowing to the lungs due to blockage. For some people, the weight of their neck narrows and blocks the airway during sleep. If that’s the case, weight loss could have a positive effect on airway obstructions.
Before starting any weight loss program, talk with your doctor about your weight loss goals and what impact weight loss may have on your symptoms.
Can slender people have sleep apnea?
Yes, people of all sizes and ages can have sleep apnea. Though it’s more common for overweight people and older people to develop a sleep disorder, even children can have sleep apnea. It’s important to take careful note of the symptoms, and when in doubt, undergo a sleep test for a proper diagnosis.
How much weight loss is needed to improve OSA?
Even losing 10 to 15 pounds can make a difference. Losing more is better, but don’t get discouraged if you can only lose a little. Any weight reduction can decrease OSA severity.
If I gain weight back, will sleep apnea return?
It’s likely OSA symptoms will worsen again if the weight creeps back on, highlighting the importance of weight maintenance after the initial loss. Unfortunately, many people struggle to sustain long-term weight reduction.
Gaining back even a small percentage of lost weight allows fat deposits to reaccumulate around the throat and neck, once again obstructing breathing. That’s why making lifestyle changes that support permanent weight control are key to treating OSA over the long term.
Take Action to Improve Your Sleep and Health
Don’t let OSA threaten your sleep quality and health any longer. Get tested for sleep apnea so you know your situation. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Clinton, call our Waxahachie office at (972) 737-5337 today.
You can also fill out our online contact form below, a staff member will be happy to assist you. We proudly serve new and returning patients in the South Dallas area, such as Red Oak, Midlothian, Maypearl, and Ennis, TX.