CAN LOSING WEIGHT CURE SLEEP APNEA

There are different forms of sleep disorders, one of which is Sleep apnea. In this case, breathing ceases during sleep due to a blocked or narrow upper airway. According to experts, there’s a relationship between weight loss and sleep apnea. It has been established that obesity coexists with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common type of sleep apnea.

Other types of sleep apnea are:

• Central sleep apnea: This type of disorder happens when your brain cannot send signals to the muscles controlling breathing.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: It is the most common type, caused by a lot of factors, including weight gain, age, narrow throat, and narrow airline.

• Complex sleep apnea: This is a combination of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. It is also referred to as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea.

When sleep apnea is not treated, it leads to complications and threatens overall health. There is, however, an effective sleep apnea treatment in Laguna Niguel you can explore.

HOW DOES WEIGHT GAIN INFLUENCE SLEEP APNEA?

Obstructive sleep apnea is found more in obese individuals, which confirms that weight gain causes sleep apnea. This might be due to the accumulation of tissues around the throat, which comes with the extra fat gained. Obesity does not only cause sleep apnea; it also aggravates its effect on the overall health.

Another factor that influences sleep apnea is a wide neck circumference. Due to the thick neck, the airway becomes narrow, leading to sleep apnea. Obesity can be linked to wider neck circumference because fat gained is distributed more to the neck and waist.

The distributed fat known as Pharyngeal fat is responsible for blocking the airway during sleep when it is more relaxed. This eventually leads to loud snoring.

Weight gain also causes increased abdominal girth, which compresses the chest wall and decreases lung volume. The reduction in lung capacity also reduces airflow, so the airway collapses while sleeping.

WHAT ARE THE CURES FOR SLEEP APNEA?

Since weight gain has been associated with sleep apnea, can losing weight cure it? Losing weight helps to reduce the symptoms, especially if it’s obstructive sleep apnea. The cure for sleep apnea comes with a few behavioral and lifestyle changes, including maintaining a healthy weight.

The following are some of the importance of weight loss concerning sleep apnea:

• Weight loss does not just reduce deposited fat in the throat and reduces abdominal fat, which results in improved airway traction and increases lung volume. This prevents the airway from collapsing while sleeping.
• Weight loss reduces sleep apnea symptoms such as irritability, daytime tiredness, and dizziness. It also improves neuropsychiatric disorders to a good extent.
• Weight loss comes with improved insulin resistance, cardiovascular health, type 2 diabetes, and overall quality of life.

Despite the importance of weight loss, there’s still a need to consult a Sleep Apnea Dentist in Laguna Niguel. This is because while losing weight can improve sleep apnea symptoms, it doesn’t provide a complete cure. Depending on the patient’s needs, there is a need to see a Dentist in Laguna Niguel for additional therapies.

WEIGHT LOSS METHODS FOR TREATING SLEEP APNEA

There are different ways to lose weight, but not all these methods work well for sleep apnea. There are however some good weight loss methods, which include:

• Undergoing surgery
• Taking medications
• Exercising
• Modifying diets

Exercises and diet modification are usually the first prescriptions for obesity; doctors can recommend surgeries and medications as the next options when these don’t work. The result is more or less the same as exercising and diet modifications.

CAN WEIGHT LOSS REPLACE CAPA?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is a mask that provides air to the airways to prevent them from being tight during sleep. It is the first treatment for sleep apnea since weight loss is not achieved immediately. However, as time goes on after a noticeable weight loss has been achieved, patients tend to neglect CPAP since their aim has been achieved.

In conclusion, always remember that treatment for sleep apnea is not a size fits. This is why you should consult a Sleep Apnea Dentistry in Laguna Niguel before deciding on the best treatment. This helps your doctor carry out a sleep study in your house or a laboratory and monitor your breathing during sleep.

WHY ARE DENTISTS INVOLVED IN SLEEP APNEA TREATMENT?

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, dentists are often the medical professionals who pick up on sleep apnea symptoms, such as dry mouth. More and more dentists are taking additional training in dental sleep medicine to treat their patients with sleep apnea issues.

If you think you’re suffering from sleep apnea, make an appointment with Dr. Nooshin Majd for your journey to a better night’s sleep. Book your appointment online with Laguna Niguel Orthodontics or call (949) 831-7790 today.