Weight Gain and Sleep Apnea: A Dangerous Catch-22

Like millions of Americans, you resolved on January 1^st to finally lose those few extra pounds in 2021. Whether you’ve been meaning to slim down for years or you’re just trying to shed the “quarantine 15,” hopefully you’re making progress toward your goals. If you’re not, perhaps a sleep disorder is to blame. Let’s look at the correlation between weight gain and sleep apnea and how getting control of one can help you with the other.

How Sleep Apnea Contributes to Weight Gain

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when tissues in the mouth or throat block the airway while sleeping, resulting in lapses in breathing that wake you up several times per night. The condition can lead to weight gain in at least two ways:

• Lack of sleep can make you crave calorie-dense foods. Sleep regulates the hormones that affect your appetite and fullness. Without sufficient sleep, you’re more likely to have lower levels of leptin (a hormone that suppresses hunger) and higher levels of ghrelin (a hormone that triggers hunger).
• You might be too tired to exercise. Daytime exhaustion, a common symptom of OSA, makes it difficult to find the energy to work out.

How Weight Gain Can Cause Sleep Apnea

Unfortunately, being overweight can also contribute to or worsen sleep apnea in the following ways:

• Fat deposits in the neck can obstruct the airway. When the airway is relaxed during sleep, pharyngeal fat (fat deposits on the neck) puts pressure on the neck, making it easier to become blocked.
• Excess fat can decrease lung capacity. Excess body fat can compress the chest wall, lowering lung volume and increasing the likelihood of the upper airway collapsing during sleep.

Improving Your Quality of Sleep and Life

After reading the above information, trying to tackle both weight gain and sleep apnea may feel hopeless. With the right help, however, you can improve your sleep quality and maintain a healthy weight. You can start by consulting a sleep apnea expert, such as a sleep dentist. They can go over your symptoms and arrange a sleep study for a proper diagnosis.

Instead of treating your sleep apnea with a loud, cumbersome CPAP machine, your dentist may offer oral appliance therapy. This mouthguard-like device fits comfortably over your teeth and gently repositions your jaw to keep your airway open throughout the night.

Treating your sleep apnea may not make the extra pounds fall off like leaves, but it can help you achieve your health goals. You’ll find it easier to conquer your cravings and stick to an exercise regimen. While sleep apnea and weight gain are directly linked, there are ways you can overcome both!

About the Author

Dr. Jacob Milner is a dentist in Owings Mills, MD who has undergone advanced training in sleep apnea treatment. He can help you manage your sleep apnea with a personalized ProSomnus IA oral appliance. To start improving your quality of sleep and life, you can contact Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills via their website or by calling (410) 902-4110.