The Link Between Weight Gain And Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder caused by interruptions to breathing during sleep. Symptoms include snoring, gasping for air during sleep, daytime tiredness and waking up with a headache.

While several conditions can lead to sleep apnea, being overweight significantly increases your risk. More than half of those diagnosed with sleep apnea have a body mass index that is greater than 25. This is because weight gain causes fat deposits, called pharyngeal fat, which blocks the upper airways. This causes obstruction to your airflow during sleep and can lead to long term health complications.

Many people with sleep apnea use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, however modest weight loss for overweight individuals may eliminate the need for a CPAP machine altogether. If you are concerned about your health, speak with your family doctor about your treatment plan today.