Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing is interrupted while you are sleeping.  There are two kinds of sleep apnea:  central and obstructive.  With central sleep apnea the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.  Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the airway being blocked by the soft tissue in the rear of the throat.  Often times, people who suffer from sleep apnea aren’t aware that they have the sleeping disorder.  Usually their partner will report irregular breathing at night.  However, there are noticeable side effects that could indicate that you are suffering from this disorder.  Excessive and persistent tiredness during the day, slow reflexes, poor concentration, waking up out of breath, excessive snoring or frequently waking with a dry mouth or headache could all point towards a possible sleep apnea diagnosis.

If you think you or your partner may be suffering from sleep apnea, it is very important that the person that may have the disorder get examined by a doctor.  If left untreated, this disorder can lead to other severe problems such as:  increased blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, asthma, and acid reflux.

How Weight Affects Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common of the two types of this disorder, is frequently a result of being overweight.  While sleep apnea can affect a variety of people of all different ages, weights, and circumstances it is found that it is much more likely to occur in people who are overweight.  Excess weight is considered to be the biggest risk factor for this disorder.   The extra weight can contribute to the blockage from your soft tissue while you sleep.  This is especially true for men who have a larger neck circumference.  For men, if your neck circumference is 17 inches or higher or for women if your neck circumference is 16 inches or more then you are at a significant risk of suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

How to Lessen Your Sleep Apnea

If you are overweight and are suffering from this disorder then losing weight can help alleviate symptoms and possibly cure your sleep apnea completely.  The complications lay in the fact that sleep apnea itself causes weight gain.  This puts many patients who suffer from the disorder in a difficult position.  They must lose weight to cure themselves from a disorder that actually causes weight gain.  This may seem like an impossible task however, medical advances have given us tools that can make this easier for patients who suffer from the disorder.

It is very important to practice healthy eating and exercise but sometimes that just isn’t enough when you are dealing with a disorder that fights your progress.  Thankfully, there is now a machine that provides Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).  This machine will help you maintain regular breathing throughout the night by gently keeping your airway open.  This allows your body to get the vital rest that it needs.  By controlling your sleep apnea disorder, you are reducing the fluctuations in hormone levels that lead to lower metabolism and weight gain.  You also will be sleeping better which will allow you to have more energy for exercising.  You will be more motivated to shed the extra weight and lead a healthier lifestyle.  The CPAP gives you a leg up in your fight against obesity and can help you feel better and have the desire to lose more weight and keep it off.

Leaving sleep apnea untreated will continue to make your battle against weight loss more difficult than it should be.  You are also at a higher risk for several other issues that are caused by reduced oxygen levels that are caused by the disorder.  Treatment is the best option for your overall health and wellbeing.

If you have any questions about sleep apnea or would like a consultation, please call use at Dr. Levy of Hilliard.