Is Sleep Apnea Reversible With Weight Loss?
Ten to thirty percent of persons in the United States suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is caused by recurrent airway blockages or collapses while they are asleep. Obesity or weight gain can increase the risk of developing OSA, and changes in body weight can either improve or worsen OSA symptoms.
We examine the connection between weight and sleep apnea, go over available treatments, and talk about lifestyle modifications that could lessen obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.
Is Sleep Apnea Reversible With Weight Loss?
Losing weight can reduce the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, but it may not be an effective therapy. Losing weight can help people with OSA sleep better by reducing the number of breathing pauses they have while they’re asleep. In addition to lowering blood pressure, weight loss can enhance a person’s general quality of life.
Losing weight can result in surprisingly long-lasting symptom relief. Despite recovering up to 50% of the weight they had first lost, several patients claim that their symptoms improved for years.
But while losing weight helps people with mild to moderate OSA, it doesn’t help people with more severe forms.
The Connection Between Weight and Sleep Apnea
Obesity and weight gain are significant risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea, the most prevalent sleep-related respiratory condition in the United States. Indeed, up to 90% of persons with OSA in the United States are also overweight.
Because fat accumulates in the throat and neck, gaining weight can enlarge the soft tissues of the upper airway and the neck. A person’s airway may be constrained or blocked by these swollen throat tissues as they sleep, which can cause breathing pauses and disturb their sleep. Another common symptom of OSA is snoring, which is likewise caused by a constricted airway.
Additionally, gaining too much weight restricts the lungs’ capacity to breathe. The amount of air that the lungs can contain can be decreased by pressure on the tissues around the lungs caused by fat accumulation in the chest and abdomen. The upper airway is more likely to collapse when there is less air flowing through it.
Additionally, for those who have previously been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, weight gain and obesity may exacerbate symptoms.
Why Sleep Apnea Is Caused by Excess Weight?
Sleep apnea is more likely to occur in persons who are overweight or obese, while it can be caused by some medical issues. Pharyngeal fat is a type of fat deposit that develops in the neck of people who are overweight. When the upper throat has become relaxed while you sleep, pharyngeal fat may obstruct it. Because of this, snoring is one of the most typical signs of sleep apnea; it sounds like air being forced through a narrowed airway.
One of the main risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is being overweight, especially obese. This is an explanation of how it aggravates the condition:
Deposits of Fat Near the Airway:
- Increased neck fat: Being overweight frequently results in more fat deposits around the throat and neck. When muscles relax during sleep, this fatty tissue may constrict the upper airway, increasing the likelihood that it will collapse.
- Airway narrowing can also be exacerbated by the accumulation of fat in the tongue and soft palate because of this accumulation.
Diminished Muscle Activity:
- Weakened upper airway muscles: Carrying too much weight might cause the upper airway’s muscles to become less active, increasing the risk of collapse.
- Fluid retention: The airway may shrink even further and eventually collapse as a result of fluid retention, which is encouraged by fat tissue.
Effect on Lung Function:
- Decreased lung capacity: Being overweight, particularly around the abdomen, can limit lung capacity and lower breathing efficiency. This may make deep breathing more difficult and raise the risk of airway collapse.
- Increased respiratory effort: The additional weight strains the respiratory muscles, making breathing more challenging, particularly when you’re sleeping.
Systemic Impacts:
- Inflammation: Inflammation in the upper airway and other parts of the body can be exacerbated by fat tissue. The risk of OSA may be raised by this inflammation, which may also lead to airway narrowing.
- Hormonal imbalance: Hormonal imbalances caused by obesity can impair respiratory regulation and raise the risk of OSA.
In conclusion, being overweight can cause some anatomical and functional abnormalities that raise the possibility of airway collapse while you sleep, which can lead to OSA.
Can Weight Gain Occur Caused by Sleep Apnea?
A difficult cycle of weight increase and sleep apnea can coexist. Here’s how:
An imbalance in hormones:
- Ghrelin and leptin: Sleep apnea can throw off the hormone balance that controls hunger. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, may rise while leptin, the hormone that indicates fullness, may fall. Weight management may become more challenging as a result of increased hunger and cravings.
- Cortisol: Sleep apnea-induced sleep fragmentation can raise the stress hormone cortisol. Especially in the abdominal region, elevated cortisol levels can encourage fat storage.
- Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance is a disorder in which the body’s cells do not react appropriately to insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels and possibly causing weight gain and type 2 diabetes. The chance of getting the condition can be increased by sleep apnea.
Feeling tired and Decreased Exercise:
- Daytime drowsiness: Sleep apnea frequently causes severe daytime exhaustion and drowsiness, which makes it difficult to do regular physical activity. Weight gain and weight loss can be exacerbated by a decrease in physical activity.
- Reduced motivation: Being tired might also make it harder to choose nutritious foods and adopt other good lifestyle practices.
Changes in Metabolism:
- Decreased metabolism: Sleep apnea-related poor sleep can slow down metabolism, making it more difficult to burn calories and perhaps leading to weight gain.
- Increased inflammation: The body’s overall inflammatory response to sleep apnea might impact metabolism and lead to weight gain.
The Cycle
- Weight increase exacerbates sleep apnea: As previously stated, gaining weight can exacerbate the symptoms of sleep apnea, resulting in a vicious cycle whereby sleep apnea causes weight gain, which exacerbates sleep apnea.
Ending the Cycle: Weight management can be made easier by treating sleep apnea with treatments like CPAP therapy, which can enhance energy levels, hormone balance, and sleep quality. Breaking the pattern and encouraging weight reduction may be even more successful when sleep apnea therapy is combined with healthy lifestyle practices like regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Sleep Apnea and Overweight Health Risks
Sleep apnea patients’ cardiovascular, metabolic, and pulmonary systems are severely stressed when they don’t get enough good sleep. Because obesity increases the risk of heart, lung, and metabolic issues, this may be especially concerning for fat persons.
Apnea at Sleep and Heart Health
The entire cardiovascular system is impacted by sleep apnea in many ways. The body’s oxygen supply decreases with each breathing delay, setting off the “fight or flight” reaction. This reaction causes the heart rate to rise and blood pressure to spike, which wakes the sleeper and forces them to open their airway again. Throughout the night, this cycle is repeated. Atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque in the blood vessels linked to heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure, can result from inflammation caused by the blood oxygen levels’ cyclical rise and fall.
In addition, sleep apnea causes insulin resistance, changes the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide, raises blood levels of glucose and carbon dioxide, and interferes with the part of the nervous system that regulates blood flow and heartbeat. Therefore, among other issues, sleep apnea is linked to the following cardiac, lung, and metabolic issues:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs, frequently referred to as “mini-strokes”) and infarction
- Coronary heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia)
Sleep Apnea and Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
Obese patients with OHS have respiratory issues, which lowers oxygen levels and raises carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This happens because being overweight can limit lung function and make deep breathing more difficult, particularly around the chest and abdomen.
The Connection to Sleep Apnea
Obesity is a significant risk factor for both OHS and sleep apnea.
- Common interaction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common among patients with OHS. Indeed, up to 90% of those with OHS are thought also to have OSA.
- Impacts combined: The impacts on respiratory and general health may be more severe when OSA and OHS coexist.
Their Interaction
- Worsening gas exchange: The lungs’ ability to exchange gases is compromised by both disorders. During sleep, OSA causes intermittent drops in oxygen levels, but OHS causes consistently low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels. When paired together, these impacts can be increasing.
- Increased cardiac strain: The heart may experience additional cardiac strain due to either situation. While OHS can result in pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), OSA can cause high blood pressure and issues with heart rhythm. The combination may make heart issues much more likely.
Diangnosis and Management
- Diagnosis: A combination of physical examination, blood testing, sleep studies, and lung function tests are used to identify both diseases.
- Treatment: Weight loss, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy (like CPAP), and occasionally oxygen therapy are used to treat both disorders.
Recognition Is Important
Medical practitioners must understand the possible overlap between OSA and OHS to guarantee accurate diagnosis and treatment. An individual’s breathing, general health, and quality of life can all be considerably enhanced by recognizing and treating both disorders.
Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding OHS.
Discuss your possibilities with Your Doctors
Consult with a doctor as soon as possible to avoid gaining too much weight, lessen the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, and reduce the chance of additional health issues. In addition to offering you tailored guidance on weight management, your physician may educate you on the many sleep apnea treatment alternatives.
Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy
Your doctor may talk about positive airway pressure treatment after diagnosing OSA. PAP therapy employs air pressure to keep the airway open while you sleep to lessen the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by a narrow or clogged airway.
Auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are the two most used forms of PAP therapy. These little devices use a pipe to send filtered air into a mask that covers the mouth or nose.
By reducing the symptoms and indicators of sleep apnea, PAP therapy aims to enhance sleep and lessen fatigue during the day.
Lifestyle Changes for Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea may benefit from certain lifestyle modifications. These natural solutions may help alleviate obstructive sleep apnea symptoms when used in conjunction with PAP therapy.
Sleep on your side: To prevent your tongue from getting into your airway, think about side sleeping if you sleep on your back.
Elevate your head: You can maintain an open airway by elevating your head with an adjustable mattress, wedge cushion, or more pillows.
Avoid alcohol and sedatives: Reduce or stay away from sedatives, such as alcohol, before bed because they might cause your muscles to become momentarily relaxed and constrict your airways.
Get exercise regularly: Exercise can assist improve cardiovascular health, daytime sleepiness, and sleep apnea when paired with weight loss methods like medication, bariatric surgery, or a nutritious diet.
Alternative therapies for sleep apnea may involve surgery or mouth appliances, depending on your preferences and way of life. Your healthcare practitioner can help you balance the benefits and drawbacks of each treatment choice and talk with you about which one is best for your particular needs.
Conclusion
Yes, losing weight can sometimes reverse sleep apnea. Research has indicated that weight loss can considerably lessen the intensity of symptoms associated with sleep apnea, and in many situations, completely eradicate them. This is because the main cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is airway narrowing during sleep, which can be exacerbated by excess weight, particularly around the neck.
It’s crucial to remember that losing weight is not a surefire way to treat sleep apnea. Numerous factors, such as the quantity of weight lost, the severity of the sleep apnea, and individual anatomy, affect how well weight loss works to treat sleep apnea.
FAQs
To reverse sleep apnea, how much weight must be lost?
The symptoms of sleep apnea might be decreased and possibly eliminated if you lose weight. Although experts advise decreasing at least 5% of your body weight, it might be much more beneficial to lose 10%. Losing weight may also help you get off of a CPAP machine.
How long will it take to repair sleep apnea-related damage?
Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea
Following to study, white matter damage caused by OSA can be nearly completely reversed by using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for just a year.
What impact does weight have on sleep apnea?
The upper airway can get narrowed by excess weight, especially around the neck, increasing the likelihood that it could collapse as you sleep. Additionally, fat deposits in the muscles of the neck and tongue may be involved.
Can sleep apnea be cured by decreasing weight?
Weight loss can considerably lessen the severity of sleep apnea and, in certain situations, totally cure it, even though it is not a treatment for everyone. This is especially true when excess weight is a substantial contributing component.
Is sleep apnea reversible for anybody?
Although there is no way to cure sleep apnea, it is possible to lessen its severity and, in certain situations, manage or even enhance it. For moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea, CPAP machines are frequently prescribed.
If I lose weight, would my sleep apnea disappear?
Patients who are somewhat obese can have a 50% reduction in the severity of their OSA with only a 10-15% weight decrease. Unfortunately, losing weight can significantly improve OSA, but it seldom results in a full recovery, and many people with sleep apnea require further treatments.
References
- Edwards, J. M. (2024, March 19). How Much Does Weight Loss Help with Sleep Apnea? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea-weight-loss
- Pacheco, D., & Pacheco, D. (2024, April 30). How weight affects sleep apnea. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-apnea/weight-loss-and-sleep-apnea
- Unknown. (n.d.). A patient’s guide Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and weight loss. https://royalpapworth.nhs.uk/application/files/9716/9349/2064/PI_21_Obstructive_Sleep_Apnoea_web.pdf
- Truby, H., Edwards, B. A., Day, K., O’Driscoll, D. M., Young, A., Ghazi, L., Bristow, C., Roem, K., Bonham, M. P., Murgia, C., Haines, T. P., & Hamilton, G. S. (2022). A 12-month weight loss intervention in adults with obstructive sleep apnoea: is timing important? A step wedge randomized trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 76(12), 1762–1769. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-022-01184-5
- Sleep Apnea & Your Weight | Dentist in Philadelphia, PA. (2022, August 9). Sleep Well Philadelphia. https://www.sleepwellphiladelphia.com/sleep-apnea/symptoms-your-health/sleep-apnea-your-weight/
- Glacialcontent. (2022, May 11). Does Losing Weight Help with Sleep Apnea? Suburban Otolaryngology. https://suboto.com/does-losing-weight-help-with-sleep-apnea/