Connecting Sleep Apnea & Weight Gain
Losing weight is a constant, challenging battle but has the ability to change your life. Weight gain can be caused by underlying factors, like genetics or lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, for those suffering from sleep apnea, struggles with weight can be especially hard.
Being overweight can impact your ability to breathe properly while asleep. Multiple studies have found that those who suffer from sleep apnea are more susceptible to gaining weight — which can also increase additional health issues, such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
The Power of Weight Loss
Making lifestyle changes to lose weight has been shown to considerably improve sleep apnea symptoms by up to 58%. Weight loss is crucial to tackling sleep apnea and is effective in reducing heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Not only does losing weight help prevent health problems, but it also helps shed a few inches off your waistline.
Stand Up and Get Active
Exercising doesn’t have to be intimidating or over-demanding. It’s possible to get an effective workout in without straining your back or knees. Start with something less extreme and more satisfying, such as these practical exercises:
- Walking your dog around the block
- Taking a hike along a new trail
- Practicing yoga poses at home
- Signing up for a fitness class with a friend
- Playing basketball or soccer in the park
It’s important to find a workout that fits your unique lifestyle, so that you’re more motivated to maintain it in the long-term. Exercising for at least 30 minutes, 4-5 days a week, has the power to increase your energy and help you get a better night’s rest.
Introduce a Healthier Diet
A healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise are certified as a lifestyle treatment option for sleep apnea by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. This can be a powerful tool in improving sleep apnea symptoms while helping you become healthier and stronger.
An effortless, simple diet like the Mediterranian diet has been proven to improve this sleep disorder and reduce the risk for Parkinson’s disease and cancer. Here are the primary components incorporated into the Mediterranean diet:
- Weekly portions of poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt
- Fish and seafood at least twice each week
- Every day: vegetables, fruits, grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, legumes and seeds, herbs
- Drink eight glasses of water each day
Eating healthy doesn’t need to be hard — just remember to set personal goals and stick to them. You’ll see changes, both mentally and physically, in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does sleep apnea cause weight gain?
When the body is sleep-deprived, you make less leptin, which directly affects weight gain. Both sleep apnea and weight gain can exacerbate one another, leading to low quality sleep, even more weight gain, and health risks.
If weight is a factor for your sleep apnea, Dr. Bayless will recommend ways to alleviate your symptoms such as exercising and following a well-balanced diet.
Does sleep apnea affect metabolism?
Leaving your sleep apnea untreated can increase your risk of higher blood sugar levels, stress hormones, and blood pressure. These increases will affect a person’s metabolism, leading to weight gain.
Can treating sleep apnea help you lose weight?
If you treat your sleep apnea with a CPAP machine or oral appliance, while also following a calorie-restricted diet, you can lose weight. Dr. Bayless and our team can help provide you with a proper diet and exercise plan that will decrease your sleep apnea symptoms.
Discover How Dr. Bayless Can Help
If you’re ready to conquer your sleep apnea, give us a call at (830) 632-2112 to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Bayless. We’ll take the time to understand your individual case to determine the best solution for you. It’s time to get a better night’s rest.