Weight Gain and Sleep Apnea

Lack of sleep can cause weight gain. A chemical called leptin which is an appetite suppressant is naturally manufactured in the body, however poor levels of sleep inhibit the production of this chemical which encourages weight gain.

Weight gain and sleep apnea go hand in hand as the heavier a person is the more likely he or she is likely to suffer from sleep apnea. This is due to the fact that there is more tissue and muscle in the neck and throat.

During sleep the muscles relax but in a heavy person there is a greater density of muscle to collapse in the throat causing a blockage in the airways.

This can cause a short interruption of breathing for about 10 seconds which can happen repeatedly throughout the night. This can be very distressing both for the sufferer and also for their partner. Imagine being woken up by someone snoring very loudly then suddenly they stop breathing.

Day time drowsiness is a common symptom of sleep apnea causing a greater risk of accidents to drivers who suffer from it. It only takes a few seconds to fall into a light sleep, enough time to swerve off the road or cause a pile up on the motorway.

It can also lead to poor performance at work or study. There is always a risk that you may suddenly drop off to sleep during an important meeting or lecture which could prove very embarrassing.

If you are very overweight the best and most obvious option of reducing the risks associated with sleep apnea is to lose weight, It may not be easy and will involve some major lifestyle changes. Joining a weight loss group will give you the support of other members and you will be less likely to fail.

Take up some exercise that you enjoy such as a sport and do this on a regular basis. Even a brisk 20 minute walk around the park each day will make a difference. Diet alone isn't enough, you have to burn off the calories.

Many adults who suffer from sleep apnea caused by excessive weight gain also suffer from diabetes as well as hypertension and heart disease. Lack of energy from poor sleep makes exercising hard work and as a result people who suffer from sleep apnea may have a very inactive lifestyle. This creates a vicious circle as the less exercise you do the more weight you gain and the heavier you become the worse your sleep apnea may become.

Breaking this cycle can seem impossible and you may need to consult your doctor for advice. He may recommend a CPAP or continuous positive airways pressure mask. It works by passing compressed air through a mask worn over the nose or mouth which keeps the airways open. It may be uncomfortable to wear and take a bit of getting used to but it does work and a great alternative to surgery.

Surgery is an option for severe cases of sleep apnea. LAUP is a surgical procedure that is carried out under a local anaesthetic so recovery is quicker and there are less complications. It involves reducing the tissues in the throat and reshaping them so that the airways remain open during sleep. More than one treatment may be required before any success is experienced and it may not be guaranteed.

UPPP is a surgical procedure to cure sleep apnea that involves removing excess tissue from the throat and is more invasive than LAUP. It also carries more of a risk as general anaesthetic is used. Only half of patients treated experience success and still end up using a CPAP machine.

If you are overweight and suffer from sleep apnea just persevere with your weight loss regime and don't give up. Losing weight takes time and effort, but gradually you will begin to notice an improvement in your health and sleep patterns. In the long term it's very possible that incidents of sleep apnea will fade and completely disappear.