Quick Overview
- Excess weight is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Fat deposits in the neck and abdomen can narrow airways and reduce lung capacity, increasing breathing interruptions during sleep.
- Weight loss significantly reduces OSA severity. With numbers, an estimated a 10–15% reduction in body weight can lower the symptoms by up to 50%. But oftentimes it doesn’t eliminate the need for further treatment.
Sleep apnea is a relatively common disorder in which people experience disrupted breathing while they are sleeping. The most prevalent kind of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is characterized by disturbed breathing brought on by a constricted or occluded upper airway. To breathe through a straw is how it feels. According to the National Library of Medicine, those with severe OSA may experience up to 30 breathing interruptions each night.
Many significant connections between sleep apnea and excess body weight are emerging as the medical community learns more about this condition. Not only may being overweight cause sleep apnea, but it can also make the condition worse and have a negative impact on one’s health. The vicious cycle of inadequate sleep and weight gain may occur. Fortunately, numerous studies have found that losing weight helps with sleep apnea. It’s critical to comprehend the intricate relationships between sleep apnea and obesity if you suffer from either illness.
How Excess Weight Causes Sleep Apnea
Several health conditions increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnea, but OSA is most common in people who are overweight or obese. Excess weight creates fat deposits in a person’s neck called pharyngeal fat. Pharyngeal fat can block a person’s upper airway during sleep when the airway is already relaxed. This is why snoring is one of the most common sleep apnea symptoms — air is literally being squeezed through a restricted airway, causing a loud noise.
Additionally, increased abdominal girth from excess fat can compress a person’s chest wall, decreasing lung volume. This reduced lung capacity diminishes airflow, making the upper airway more likely to collapse during sleep. OSA risk continues to increase with a rising body mass index (BMI), which measures one’s body fat based on height and weight.
Less frequent factors that contribute to sleep apnea include big tonsils that obstruct the airway, physical characteristics like a large neck or narrow throat, endocrine illnesses (including diabetes and thyroid disease), acid reflux, lung conditions, and heart issues. However, according to the American Diabetes Association, 60 to 90 percent of persons with OSA are overweight.
Can Losing Weight Cure Sleep Apnea?
Changes in lifestyle and behavior are the first step in treating sleep apnea, as is the case with many disorders. Working toward a healthy body weight is a part of this for the majority of OSA patients. Fat deposits in the tongue and neck are lessened with weight loss, which can help with airflow obstructions. Additionally, by reducing abdominal fat, the airway is less prone to collapse as you sleep. Lung volume is also increased, and airway traction is improved.
Many OSA-related symptoms, like daytime sleepiness, can be greatly diminished by losing weight. Additionally, irritability and other neuropsychiatric dysfunctions significantly improve. Cardiovascular health, hypertension, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and in particular, quality of life have all improved. In moderately obese people, weight loss of merely 10-15% can lower OSA severity by 50%. Unfortunately, while weight loss can significantly reduce OSA, it typically does not result in a full recovery, and many sleep apnea patients require further therapy.
Does Weight Loss Method Matter in OSA?
With several options for losing weight, many OSA patients want to know which one is best for sleep apnea. Some of the best weight loss methods include:
- Dietary changes
- Increased physical activity
- Medications
- Surgery
As a first line of treatment for obesity, doctors typically recommend dietary and exercise measures. Patients with obesity who are unlikely or unable to lose enough weight with behavior changes may think about medical or surgical procedures. There is evidence that behavioral modification is just as effective as certain weight-loss surgeries in improving OSA. Encouragingly, exercise alone can modestly improve the severity of OSA, even without significant weight loss.
Regardless of technique, OSA improvement is proportional to the amount of weight lost. Therefore, patients should discuss with their doctor which weight loss strategy is best-suited to their personal circumstances, overall health, and their OSA severity.
Don’t Wait To Seek Care
Early intervention is essential for preventing harm and regaining quality of life when it comes to sleep and weight. The prognosis for sleep apnea is excellent with appropriate therapy. It’s also never too early or late to start actively managing your weight. It’s crucial to visit a doctor if you suspect you may have sleep apnea in order to receive a precise diagnosis and personalized treatment choices.