If you have trouble sleeping at night, or you have noticed that you display irregular breathing patterns that keep you from sleeping comfortably, it is possible that you are struggling with sleep apnea. One of the biggest symptoms and correlations with sleep apnea is sudden weight gain. As the symptoms of sleep apnea get worse, your body continues to suffer from a number of ailments. Untreated sleep apnea may be fatal. For now, let’s look at how sleep apnea affects weight.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Weight
Your local pulmonologist in New York can help you understand how sleep apnea affects weight. If you notice sudden weight gain or intense trouble sleeping, visit your sleep specialist right away.
The Relationship Between Sleep & Weight
Your sleep schedule has always been directly impacted by weight, diet, and exercise. Studies have shown that there is such a direct relationship between these two things for many reasons, including:
- Lack of exercise. If you find yourself sitting down throughout most of the day, you probably don’t move around as much as your body needs you to. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain, ultimately leading to breathing and sleep issues.
- Hormone imbalance. If life stresses you out and you don’t get enough sleep, your whole body starts to suffer. It’s true that lack of sleep can cause an imbalance of hormones in your body, which in turn affect the regularity of your respiratory and digestive systems.
- Poor diet. Eating poorly can affect your overall health. What you put into your body has an impact on your ability to absorb nutrients and digest food. Eating sugar and trans fats can lead to slowed blood flow, making you struggle when you breathe.
Undiagnosed sleep apnea can get dangerous and even fatal if left untreated. Undue stress, poor dietary habits, and lack of exercise can cause interruptions in your natural breathing rhythms that will make it more and more difficult to sleep.
Best Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
If you have developed sleep apnea as a result of weight gain – or vice versa – you should speak with your local professional as quickly as possible to come up with a customized treatment plan. Some of the most popular treatment methods include:
CPAP Device
Also known as Positive Airway Pressure devices, CPAPs are breathing machines that you can wear over your mouth while you sleep. They assist in the regulation of your breathing. Not only do they keep your breathing habits healthy, they can also keep you from snoring up a storm!
CPAP devices are comfortable and easy to wear. After a while, you won’t even notice you wear it while you sleep.
Oral Appliances
In some cases, you can wear an oral appliance instead of a CPAP. This is something similar to a mouthguard or a nightguard. It helps to treat snoring and some of the more severe symptoms of OSA. These appliances hold your jaw in place in a way that keeps your airways open so you can breathe freely. You can speak with your advanced sleep specialist to learn about custom-made appliances that can help you manage your sleep apnea symptoms.
Get the Most Effective Sleep Apnea Treatment Today!
Dr. Mayank Shukla is the most advanced asthma and sleep specialist in the area, providing you with customized sleep apnea treatments to accelerate your healing. Schedule an appointment with the team of experts today and learn about the most effective sleep apnea treatment for you.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include sudden weight gain, poor diet, and a lack of exercise. You can improve your respiratory health through lifestyle changes and expert treatment through your sleep specialist. Get in touch with us today and schedule an appointment for your better health!
