Does Obesity Cause Sleep Apnoea, Does It Intensify?
Yes, obesity can play a role in the development of sleep apnea and in some cases, can make the condition worse. Obese people are particularly prone to having obstructive sleep apnea, where the tissues of the throat and tongue block the airway and cause breathing to stop temporarily during sleep. This can lead to fragmented sleep, daytime sleepiness, and an increased risk of other health problems. Treatment for sleep apnea can help reduce the severity of symptoms and help manage the condition.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that disrupts your breathing during sleep. It is caused when the muscles and tissues of the throat and tongue collapse, blocking your airway and causing breathing to stop temporarily. This can lead to poor quality sleep, fatigue during the day, and an increased risk of other health problems. Treatment for sleep apnea must be personalized for each person, depending on the severity and cause of their disorder. Common treatments may include lifestyle changes, obesity surgery treatments, breathing devices, and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea?
The main symptoms of sleep apnea;
- Are pauses in breathing during sleep
- Fragmented sleep
- Daytime fatigue
- Snoring
- Chest pain
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Morning headaches
Who Has Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Obesity, smoking, aging, the anatomy of the upper airways, and certain medications can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea. It may also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as congenital heart disease or a neuromuscular disorder. Other factors that may contribute to the development of sleep apnea include alcohol consumption, nasal congestion, and the use of sedatives in the evening. People who are overweight or obese are particularly at risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
Causes of Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is caused when the muscles and tissues of the throat and tongue collapse, blocking the airway and temporarily preventing breathing. There are several potential causes for this, including obesity, smoking, aging, the anatomy of the upper airway, and the use of certain medications. It can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as congenital heart disease or a neuromuscular disorder. Sleep apnea can lead to poor quality sleep, daytime fatigue, and an increased risk of other medical problems.
Top 10 Causes of Sleep Apnoea
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Aging
- Anatomy of the upper airway
- Certain medications
- Congenital heart disease
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Alcohol consumption
- Nasal congestion
- Use of sedatives in the evening
What is the Relationship Between Obesity and Sleep Apnoea?
The relationship between obesity and sleep apnea is complex. Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea, as well as make the existing condition worse. Obese people are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea, where the muscles, fat, and tissues in the throat and tongue block the airway and cause breathing to stop temporarily. This can lead to fragmented sleep, daytime sleepiness, and an increased risk of other health problems.
Why Obesity Causes Sleep Apnoea?
Obesity can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea, as well as make the existing condition worse. This is due to the added pressure on the airway caused by excess weight, combined with the additional fat and tissue in the throat and tongue, which can block the airway and cause breathing to stop temporarily during sleep.
- Excess body weight puts pressure on the airway. Fat stores in the person’s body begin to collapse and neuromuscular control decreases. Precipitated fat deposits reduce lung volume and respiratory arrest occurs.
- Obese people’s neck, waist and waist-hip measurements are larger than normal, triggering sleep apnea.
Is Sleep Apnoea Solved When You Lose Weight?
It is possible for some people to improve their sleep apnea by losing weight. However, it is important to note that weight loss alone may not be enough to solve the problem for all individuals. Treatment for sleep apnea must be personalized for each person, depending on the severity and cause of their disorder.
Most patients treated for obesity can lose 50 to 80 percent of their total body excess.
Immediately after the operation, you will feel a significant relief in your sleep. The healing process begins immediately.
6 to 12 months after the surgery, the weight loss process accelerates and you may have reached the ideal weight. When patients lose weight, upper airway collapse caused by bariatric surgery, sleep apnea, which causes the reduction of adipose tissue around the upper airway, disappears.
Continuing the weight loss process is important to prevent sleep apnea from reoccurring. Thanks to your adherence to the recommended diet and daily exercise, you will be free from sleep apnea while continuing to lose weight.
If you feel tired during the day and want to sleep a lot, you may be at risk of sleep apnea. If you are overweight or have sleep apnea due to being overweight, you can get treatment from our specialists in bariatric surgery. All you have to do is contact us.
