Sleep Apnea and Weight Gain

When you hear sleep apnea and weight gain mentioned in the same context, you are bound to feel a bit confused. After all, sleep apnea is a serious type of sleep disorder, whereas weight gain has everything to do with your body weight. How are they linked? You might be in for a surprise to learn that not only are sleep apnea and weight gain related, but sleep apnea and weight loss have close links.

Sleep apnea and weight gain are a vicious cycle. Being overweight is a major cause of sleep apnea and sleep apnea can lead to further weight gain. Being sleep deprived leads to a hormonal imbalance in the body that triggers overeating. Plus, being sleep deprived can make people feel listless throughout the day, preventing them from getting exercise which leads to weight gain as well.

It has been proven that 50% of people who have the sleep disorder are also obese. Obesity causes the condition. Therefore, weight loss has been one of the most effective treatments for the condition.

One of the number one causes of weight gain is stress and the hormones that come with it, which is why   sleep apnea and weight gain   have a familiar relationship.  When someone suffers from sleep apnea it puts stress on the body which causes unexpected weight gain.  The lack of sleep and interrupting of sleep causes your stress hormones (cortisol) to kick in and one of  the side of effects of the body's stress hormones is weight gain.  Having sleep apnea increases your chances of weight gain.  This is just one of the bad side effects to having obstructive sleep apnea.  Lack of sleep is one of the biggest causes to gaining weight and other health issues.

Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms decrease with weight loss and behavioral interventions. Patients who have obstructive sleep apnea are at higher risk for a range of health concerns. A recent study found that patients with sleep apnea who lost weight saw their symptoms improve. In fact, about 1 in 5 of the patients who lost weight no longer had sleep apnea 4 years after the study began. Ask your doctor how to jump start your weight loss today.

One of the first recommendations for treating sleep apnea is immediate weight loss, as without it, no viable relief can be provided to the patient. Over and above the usual diet regulations and physical workouts, patients are also recommended various sleep apnea exercises including tongue curling, gum chewing, etc, to tone up and reduce the fat tissues of organs directly involved with breathing.

Remember, People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from a serious illness called  sleep apnea . Sleep apnea patients wake up many times during the night, often without realizing, frequently due to a blocked airway. The airway is often blocked by the excess tissue around the neck and throat region, which is common in overweight people.

Sleep apnea treatment varies according to severity of the condition, the location of the obstruction and the overall health of the patient. If deviated septum is the root cause behind sleep apnea, doctors usually contemplate sleep apnea surgery and somnoplasty procedure is the surgery of choice.

Living With Sleep Apnea After You Have Been Diagnosed

Sleeplessness is not normal, and do not fall victim to that myth! This simply isn't true. Sleep apnea is a fact of life for many people and is something everyone needs to know about.

Get a personally made mouth guard just for you. These are a great aid to sufferers of sleep apnea. This is something that works well instead of using a CPAP, and it's more comfortable. You will find that this mouth guard stabilizes the soft tissues and allows the airways to be more open.

Going to bed on your side can be something you can do to help you get better rest if you have sleep apnea. Back sleeping promotes airway obstruction. Make a point of falling to sleep on your side and see if that doesn't alleviate some of your sleep apnea symptoms tonight.

Don't take sleeping pills if you can avoid it. Much like alcohol, sleeping pills can relax your throat muscles. They're also known for causing other problems in those that have to deal with sleep apnea. Discuss alternative methods for getting to sleep without altering your breathing with your physician.

Try sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your back is attributed to a lot of people who suffer with sleep apnea. Your airway can become obstructed if you sleep on your back. Sleeping on one's side is a better option. If you move around at night and tend to always wind up on your back, try propping yourself up with pillows.

Avoid sleeping pills when you find out you realize you are diagnosed with sleep apnea. They can relax your throat muscles, making it hard to get enough air when you sleep. Sleep medicines can cause more problems and can even be dangerous for people with apnea.

Many doctors ask patients to keep sleep logs to help diagnose sleep apnea. You will record when you sleep and when you awaken and anything else that happens during your sleeping hours. Your spouse can inform you of any excessive snoring, jerking, or momentary lapses in your breathing. This type of data can help your doctor diagnose the issue.

Try to sleep on a regular schedule if you have sleep apnea. Your sleep apnea is already affecting your sleep. Do whatever you can to restore your natural sleeping patterns, and you will find that you can handle the apnea a bit easier. The best thing you can do is fall asleep around the same time each night and wake up around the same time each day.

If you suffer from sleep apnea and you use a CPAP, carry your medical ID. Should something happen to you that requires medical attention, this will alert others of your condition. The ID should say that you have this condition, you require a CPAP, and it should identify the pressure levels you require for effective treatment.

You should now be more aware of the dangers of sleep apnea and will be better equipped to watch for its symptoms. Feeling tired all the time isn't normal and you should consult with your doctor.