For people who are overweight and suffering from sleep apnea, simply losing some weight can often resolve the disorder.
CPAP devices and other oral appliances can be very effective in easing the symptoms of sleep apnea and providing a better night’s sleep, but they do not actually cure the disorder itself.
The only ways that obstructive sleep apnea can be cured are weight loss or surgery to remove the excess tissues from the palate and throat that cause sleep apnea. Surgery is of course invasive and can have side effects, so it’s usually only considered as a last resort.
However, if you are overweight or obese, the most effective way to rid yourself of your sleep apnea disorder may be to lose weight.
The link between sleep apnea and excess weight is well established. People who carry excess weight have extra tissue at the backs of their throats, which can fall down over the airway, blocking the flow of air into the lungs during sleep. And that’s sleep apnea.
Losing weight is, of course, easier said than done! It requires a variety of lifestyle and dietary changes. But when it comes to lessening the impact of, and even curing, sleep apnea, it is certainly worth the effort.
Losing just 10% of your overall body weight can significantly diminish your sleep apnea symptoms, and losing a significant amount of weight can even cure the condition completely.
If you are overweight and also suffering from sleep apnea, weight loss may be the first step in easing your symptoms and even curing the disease.