If you suffer from sleep apnea, you might have heard of potential treatments for your condition. And while a widely considered standard of care for sleep apnea sufferers is the use of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, patients may also rethink other alternatives, especially with the recent recall of several CPAP machines, which quickly became the target of many CPAP lawsuits filed in the United States very recently.
Another potential factor emphasized by experts which may help for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a number of lifestyle changes, most especially weight loss.
But how does weight loss really affect sleep apnea?
To answer this question, first, it is important to know the complex relationship between sleep apnea and weight in general.
Does Weight Loss Aid in Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. It is a disorder in which people experience disrupted breathing during their sleep, at times 30 times an hour or more, because of a blocked airway.
OSA patients also have an increased risk of developing other health conditions, including stroke and high blood pressure.
But as the scientific community learns more about the sleep disorder, mounting evidence has been establishing an important link between excess weight and sleep apnea. And considering how an estimated 60 to 90% of people who suffer from sleep apnea are overweight or obese, this evidence may explain why excess weight is also considered a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea.
That said:
It’s not surprising that an increasing number of studies also show that weight loss decreases the severity of sleep apnea. And in many cases, it does not only reduce its severity, it may also help in improving the quality of an OSA patient’s sleep.
And just like with many diseases, lifestyle modifications can also provide a number of improvements in OSA. For instance, weight loss can reduce fat deposits in the neck, which can restrict airflow by blocking a patient’s upper airway.
Losing weight can also reduce abdominal fat, which in turn improves your lung capacity, and may decrease pauses in breathing that often happens in sleep apnea.
In fact:
It is believed that a weight loss of around 10-15% may reduce the severity of OSA by 50% in a moderately obese patient. However, while weight loss may indeed cause improvements in the sleep disorder, it does not completely eliminate sleep apnea in patients, especially those with severe OSA.
That said:
Patients may still need other therapies to treat sleep apnea, even after losing weight.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
It is important to understand that excess body weight is not the only risk factor for sleep apnea. A mix of several factors can actually contribute to this sleep disorder. These may include:
- genetic predisposition
- narrowed airway
- nasal congestion
- use of certain substances like alcohol or sedatives
- medical conditions, including high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and type 2 diabetes, among others
Considering that these factors may contribute to the condition, weight loss may not do the job of completely eliminating sleep apnea.
This is why CPAP therapy is generally recommended as a first-line sleep apnea treatment.
- A continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP machine works by delivering air pressure into the airways through a mask, which keeps them open at night and ultimately prevents snoring and apnea. Patients who suffer from moderate to severe sleep apnea mostly benefit from this device. And even though CPAP is commonly considered as the gold-standard therapy for OSA, some patients who are in need of it may find wearing the mask uncomfortable and at times may not even commit to wearing it. Using the apparatus definitely takes some getting used to. However, with enough practice, a perfect fitting mask, the right pressure settings, and the advice of your health care provider, you may find yourself adjusting to the device in no time.
- Other types of airway pressure devices. If you still find it hard to get used to a CPAP machine, you may opt for a device called auto CPAP which automatically adjusts the pressure based on your breathing. Another option available is the bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), which provides one pressure for inhalation, and a lower pressure for exhalation.
- Oral appliances. One alternative to CPAP is an oral appliance. This device fits into the mouth and works by holding the tongue or bringing the jaw in a forward position, which ultimately prevents the airway from collapsing during sleep.
Even though CPAP, BiPAP, and oral appliances may work well as treatment options for sleep apnea, but they are not cures for the condition.
In addition to lifestyle changes, surgery is considered as the last option when other possible treatments for sleep apnea have failed. Surgical options may include removing excess from the throat, jaw repositioning, and tissue shrinkage, among others.
OSA and Weight Gain
While excess body weight is considered a risk factor for OSA, mounting evidence actually suggests that there is in fact a reciprocal relationship between the two.
That’s right — as much as being overweight or obese can potentially increase one’s risk fo developing sleep apnea, the condition may also cause weight gain in patients. If you think about it, this may create an endless loop for patients which makes it even difficult for them to maintain a healthy weight.
There might be several reasons to explain this vicious cycle. One reason is that poor sleep quality due to sleep apnea may lead to overeating, obesity, and reduced fat loss even when doing calorie restriction.
Other Health Concerns Related to the Sleep Disorder
Due to poor sleep quality, sleep apnea sufferers may experience some resulting negative effects of the condition in their bodily systems, including the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic systems.
The risk of complications may even double for obese people, as obesity can also increase one’s risk of developing lung, heart, and metabolic problems, which can potentially aggravate their health concerns.
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition associated with the following complications:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- HIgh blood pressure
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart failure
- Liver problems
- Stroke
- Complications with surgery
If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, it is important to talk to your doctor for a prompt and accurate diagnosis and advice on which treatment option may be best suited for you.
