Many causes can underlie sleep apnea. Very often and mistakenly, many people automatically associate this disorder with being overweight or obese. For some patients this is true, but weight is not always to blame! Sleep apnea and excess weight: what’s the connection? That’s what we will detail in this article.
In some cases, the link between weight and sleep apnea is real, but it can also be caused by many other factors that must be considered as well. In fact, disturbed nights and hormonal imbalances can also alter behaviors. One thing is certain: claiming that being overweight is the only cause of sleep apnea is a mistake!
What is the relationship between sleep apnea and obesity?
When a person has a body mass index (BMI) that is too high, they are considered overweight. In such cases, obesity and sleep apnea are inevitably linked.
BMI corresponds to a person’s weight in kilograms divided by their height (in meters) squared (weight/height²), expressed in kg/m². So, how are sleep apnea and excess weight related? Obesity is one of the risk factors associated with sleep apnea—that’s a fact. This can be explained by the buildup of fat around the neck, pharynx, and abdomen, which blocks the passage of air in the upper airways (the nose or throat) during sleep, thus promoting sleep apnea syndrome. But does sleep apnea make you gain weight? The answer is yes as well.
In addition, poor-quality or insufficient sleep reduces the sensation of satiety and energy expenditure via the hormone leptin, while appetite is increased by the hormone ghrelin. All of this fosters conditions conducive to sleep apnea.
Furthermore, drowsiness—another symptom of sleep apnea—also puts a damper on physical activity, and all of this can lead to weight gain. For some individuals, a link between sleep apnea and having a large belly is also observed.
One should find the right balance between diet and regular physical activity to try to improve sleep quality by regulating weight, in order to limit hypopnea—the reduced breathing that characterizes these pauses during sleep. Hypopnea and weight gain can also be related.
Obesity, Overweight, and Sleep Apnea
There is no doubt that being overweight or obese increases the risk of sleep apnea. One should adopt a healthier lifestyle to improve sleep issues.
Among the main factors of sleep apnea, obesity is acknowledged as one cause of this disorder, but it is not the only one. Excess weight and—as we mentioned earlier—the accumulation of fat around the neck promotes this condition and also sometimes leads to very unpleasant snoring. Studies indicate that obese people are up to ten times more likely to suffer from sleep apnea than people at a healthy weight.
The relationship between obesity and sleep apnea is bidirectional, meaning that sleep apnea can be caused by obesity and that sleep apnea can also contribute to weight gain.
Can Weight Loss Alone Reduce Sleep Apnea?
In some cases, without a doubt, significant weight loss can make the symptoms of sleep apnea disappear. In those specific cases, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) treatment can be stopped.
Sleep apnea can also be present in people who are not overweight. For these patients, facial anomalies such as retrognathia (a lower jaw set back relative to the upper jaw) or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) anomalies like nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils, or a large tongue base can be the cause of sleep apnea. Therefore, in these particular cases, weight loss is not necessary, since weight is not the cause.
Some cases require bariatric surgery. This is a major procedure performed under very strict and specific conditions, and it can be approached in two different ways: either by reducing the size of the stomach or by preventing the absorption of fats in the digestive tract (sleeve gastrectomy and/or gastric bypass).
In General, What Are Some Ways to Improve Sleep?
To improve sleep quality, and to encourage weight loss in case of sleep apnea, you should readjust your lifestyle habits. This involves:
- Regular bedtimes
- Enough hours of sleep
- No screens in the hours before bedtime
- Regular physical activity
- Healthy lifestyle habits (no smoking, exercise, balanced diet)
- Wearing an intranasal orthosis to open the airways during sleep and reduce snoring
- Consulting a doctor is recommended if you experience insomnia or disturbed sleep
Conclusion
In summary, you can suffer from sleep apnea without being overweight or obese, but you are much more likely to experience this syndrome if you carry too much weight. So if your sleep is disturbed, if you snore, and if you have extra pounds, it is necessary to consult a doctor to see if you are suffering from sleep apnea.
Sometimes sleep apnea can be treated with devices that can avoid the need to wear a mask at night. It is advisable to consider these options as soon as any respiratory discomfort appears. Back2Sleep offers an intranasal orthosis that is designed to clear the airways for better quality sleep and especially to limit snoring before it becomes unbearable for the person who shares your bed. For more information and for a diagnosis, Back2Sleep is at your service.
FAQs
Does obesity promote sleep apnea?
The fatty infiltration of tissues around the pharynx promotes obstruction of the upper airways during sleep. 70% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are overweight—that’s a fact! The risk of OSA increases even more if the person is obese.
What is the link between obesity and sleep?
A lack of sleep is a factor in the development of obesity; in turn, obesity has long been identified as one of the causes of certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. However, it is not the only cause—other factors can also be responsible for sleep apnea.
What is the link between obesity and OSA?
Yes, obesity is a major risk factor in the development of OSA. The accumulation of fat around the neck, pharynx, and abdomen can obstruct the airways, thereby causing breathing disorders during sleep.
What triggers sleep apnea?
Triggers of sleep apnea can include a more or less permanent nasal obstruction (due to ENT problems, surgical issues, or allergies), abnormalities in the size or position of the jaw (for example, an undersized lower jaw), tongue (an overly large tongue), or palate (enlarged uvula or tonsils), as well as being overweight or obese. All of these can trigger sleep apnea syndrome.
