can weight loss cure sleep apnea?

 

can weight loss cure sleep apnea

A study published in the November 2011 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine reported that weight loss reduced the incidence of sleep apnea in obese men, who had a 40 percent reduction in their incidence of sleep apnea, and a 52 percent reduction in the severity of their sleep apnea when they lost as little as 10 percent of their body weight. A reduction in weight also improved the respiratory system of obese men, by increasing the capacity of the lungs and chest cavity, thereby decreasing the risk of developing sleep apnea. The study authors concluded that obese men may benefit from weight loss and that sleep apnea may be effectively treated by lifestyle modification, as it can potentially help manage other chronic diseases. The study authors

No. Weight loss is not a cure for sleep apnea. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AANA) reports that more than 30 million Americans have sleep apnea, and the number is expected to grow as the population ages. In most cases, the apnea is caused by the collapsibility of the upper airway during sleep and can be alleviated by weight loss.

The prevalence of diabetes and obesity in children has increased in recent years and is closely correlated with sleep apnea. One study has found that the risk of obesity doubled among children with obstructive sleep apnea. A number of studies have also concluded that sleep apnea and diabetes are reciprocally related in adults and children. This relationship appears to be stronger for children with severe sleep apnea.

Although weight loss can be effective for many patients, it is often not enough to cure their primary sleep-disordered breathing condition. When it is not, the patient can continue to have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. In some cases, weight loss can even increase the risk of sleep apnea and other sleep-disordered breathing conditions, because the condition becomes worse as the person loses weight. For patients who cannot lose enough weight to cure their sleep apnea, even more weight loss could make matters worse.

This paper investigates the effects of sleep apnea on weight loss programs and whether weight loss cures sleep apnea. It discusses various weight loss methods and why they fail. It will discuss several recent fad diets that can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. It will discuss how to prevent hypoglycemia while dieting.

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