Obesity is the leading cause of sleep apnea and you can reduce the symptoms and breathe easier by losing weight. Losing as little as 10% of your weight can lessen your risk for having sleep apnea.
There are many health risks associated with obesity. Carrying excess fat can lead to heart attacks, high cholesterol, diabetes, liver problems, gall stones and more. Sleep apnea is another symptom common among obese people.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is when your oxygen drops while you are sleeping and you stop breathing for 10 seconds or longer. It’s like your breath gets caught in your throat. You choke on the air and often times it causes you to wake from your sleep. Sleep apnea causes irregular heartbeats, makes you more likely to suffer from a heart attack or a stroke and is potentially fatal.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea and obesity go hand-in-hand. There are some common factors associated with sleep apnea that are caused by excess fat in the throat that constricts the airway and stops the breath from flowing naturally.
- Having a large neck, measuring 16 inches or more
- Falling asleep anywhere, at any time
- Experiencing morning headaches
- Having a hard time remembering things
- Having a low energy level
- Becoming easily frustrated
- Being short of breath
- Being depressed
- Suddenly waking up from a deep sleep
- Being a load snorer
Many of these symptoms are a result of loss of sleep. Losing sleep effects the way you function throughout the day, it will make you irritable and you will likely eat more because you are tired and stressed. Losing weight can be difficult without the right amount of sleep, but it can reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea and Obesity
While there isn’t an overnight cure for sleep apnea and obesity, losing even 10% of your body weight can have a positive and lasting effect on your health and reduce the symptoms you feel from the loss of sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and sedatives
- Talk to your doctor about a CPAP mask to wear while you are sleeping to improve oxygen flow.
- Have surgery to remove any obstructions to the airway.
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
- Get regular daily exercise
- Aim for a moderate amount of weight loss
- Sleep on your side to promote better breathing and easier air flow.
Gone untreated, sleep apnea and obesity can have detrimental effects on your mood, your weight and your life. Your spouse may also suffer many of the same symptoms because they will also have a loss of sleep due to your sleep patterns and loud snoring.
