Does Sleep Apnea Cause Weight Gain?
Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing stops or is paused for more than ten seconds while you’re asleep, leading to symptoms like snoring, morning headaches, fatigue and memory problems.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent form of this disorder. This condition develops when fat deposits around your upper airway block your breathing while you sleep.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder in which your airway becomes blocked. This can happen hundreds of times throughout the night, interrupting your breathing for a brief moment and impairing your rest.
Hypoxia can have serious health implications. A reduction in blood oxygen levels may lead to various medical problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
People who are overweight and obese are more prone to developing OSA due to the extra pounds in their bodies causing fat deposits in their throat, narrowing or blocking the airway.
If you are overweight and suspect that you may have OSA, speak to your doctor and be referred to a sleep study clinic for diagnosis and treatment. With the right team of medical professionals by your side, they will find the ideal solution for your individual needs; this may include CPAP therapy, surgery, or other therapies.
Excessive Fat
Obesity is a leading risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as diabetes and heart disease.
Fat accumulation on your neck and chest can cause the soft tissues of your upper airway to collapse, leading to apnea episodes during sleep. With sleep apnea, these episodes may occur repeatedly throughout the night, preventing you from getting enough rest for your body’s needs.
Weight loss can help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms and may even cure it. Even losing 10 percent of your body weight can significantly improve symptoms associated with this disorder, while decreasing its detrimental effect on health.
Lack of Oxygen
Oxygen is an essential element in the body’s energy production process. It’s utilized by nearly every cell to propel you forward, think clearly and act quickly.
When you inhale, oxygen enters your lungs and passes through small air sacs called alveoli that are surrounded by blood vessels (capillaries). Once there, it gets picked up by cells throughout your body to supply them with essential chemical compounds for healthy functioning.
An issue with gas exchange can occur when your lungs can’t provide enough oxygen into your bloodstream – this condition is known as hypoxemia.
Low oxygen levels in your bloodstream can lead to many issues, such as heart failure and anemia. Signs may include weakness, shortness of breath and headaches.
Poor Diet
Sleep apnea sufferers must pay special attention to their diet. Excess weight around the midsection can exacerbate breathing issues and lead to more serious symptoms.
Sugary drinks and foods such as white bread, pastries, doughnuts and chips can often lead to an unhealthy diet. Not only do these high-calorie items leave you feeling satiated but they also deprive your body of essential vitamins and minerals it needs for good health.
A diet that includes fatty meats such as steaks, burgers, bacon, pork, lamb and sausage can increase your risk for sleep apnea. These meats are high in saturated fats and eating too much of these foods will cause inflammation throughout your body.
