Doctors Answers (5)
It is possible that losing weight and adopting a healthier lifestyle could help with sleep apnea.
Weight loss, when over weight, is always advantageous to health. It sometimes improves obstructive sleep apnea. Some people have sleep apnea due to the anatomy of their airway and its collapsibility. Patients are frequently more successful with weight loss once sleep apnea is fixed. This is in part due to the positive impact a good night sleep has on metabolism and the increase in energy necessary to increase activity (calories burned). If successful with weight loss we often will re-evaluate the changes in sleep apnea.
No. Not in the short term. But depends on the severity of the sleep apnea. Clearly weight is a factor.
A diet and exercise may help sleep apnea. This would include a low calorie diet to help with weight loss. This may not eliminate the apnea but may reduce the severity PLUS other medical conditions may improve. I agree with your doctor. You should proceed with a sleep medicine consultation. Weight loss is a slow process but is easier if you are treated for sleep apnea.
In cases of mild to moderate sleep apnea or positional sleep apnea (increased apneas on back but few or no apneas on side), weight loss may cure sleep apnea and even reduce or cure snoring. You need to be tested to determine the severity of your apnea and what options are available to you. Weight loss is highly recommended for other health concerns but is of paramount importance in treating sleep apnea.
