Can Weight Loss Be A Natural Cure for Sleep Apnea?

Let's look at the relationship between a cure for sleep apnea and weight loss.

In my previous article on one possible approach to a sleep apnea cure, we looked at people who are not overweight. And how daily physical activity can be one of the remedies for their symptoms.

Now let's look at how and why physical activity can help men and women who are dealing with sleep apnea, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Sleep experts examine weight loss as a sleep apnea cure

Here's what sleep expert Sudhansu Chokroverty, MD, says about a cure for sleep apnea and weight loss: "In mild cases of sleep apnea, if an obese person can lose sufficient weight and keep the weight down, then the sleep apnea may be cured..." (Reference source: Questions and Answers About Sleep Apnea.)

Another study showed that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was cured in 88% of the obese patients with mild OSA who lost the most weight.

Researchers stated: "Very low calorie diet combined with active lifestyle counseling resulting in marked weight reduction is a feasible and effective treatment for the majority of patients with mild OSA." (American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, February 15, 2009.)

And a third study, called Sleep AHEAD, included 264 obese patients with type 2 diabetes who were divided into groups. This study (published September 28, 2009, Archives of Internal Medicine) included obese patients with mild, moderate, and severe sleep apnea.

The results after one year were exciting

The people in the group that lost the most weight (24 pounds) had three times the rate of remission of their OSA symptoms than the other groups. People with severe sleep apnea symptoms were able to reduce symptoms to moderate...those with moderate symptoms went to mild...and those with mild symptoms went to no symptoms.

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In other words, a cure for sleep apnea!

Why might weight loss be an effective sleep apnea cure for people dealing with mild sleep apnea and obesity?

The reason is because in obese people, the fat deposits are typically at the base of the tongue. This excess tissue creates a large tongue that blocks the narrow throat, leading to airway obstruction during sleep. Their neck circumference may also be much bigger.

Both of these factors can prevent air from getting into the lungs. Breathing is difficult and it will stop when a person is sleeping. That's why one of the major symptoms of sleep apnea is the person gasping for air because they can't breathe.

This causes them to wake up repeatedly at night. Sleep is shallow and poor. And energy levels during the day are low.

Burn off fat

Thus, you can see why obese men and women with hopes of getting treatments for both mild apnea and weight loss would benefit from being more physically active. It's the best way to burn off fat.

If you're not in very good shape right now, regular daily walking is the perfect exercise choice, as you'll see in my next article. See a doctor and discuss getting started with an exercise program.

Now if you have moderate to severe apnea, increasing your daily physical activity may not be a cure for sleep apnea. However, as the above study shows, it should help lessen your sleep apnea symptoms. And for more help, here's another article I've written called 7 Sleep Apnea And Weight Loss Tips. Click that blue link. You'll find the article helpful.

Return From Cure For Sleep Apnea To 23 Dangerous Sleep Apnea Symptoms

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