Can I get rid of sleep apnea by losing weight?

Q: Can weight loss cure sleep apnea? A: The short answer is no. While there are several sleep apnea treatment options available, there is no cure. However, weight loss may help reduce sleep apnea symptoms for some people, but only if you have obstructive sleep apnea.


How much weight loss can cure sleep apnea?

If overweight and obese people lose weight, it would make both sleep apnea and other health problems [such as heart disease] go away. Losing just 10% of body weight can have a big effect on sleep apnea symptoms. In some cases, losing a significant amount of weight can even cure the condition.

Can losing 20 pounds help sleep apnea?

Lose Weight to Reduce Sleep Apnea

Researchers believe that losing only a small amount of weight can make a big difference in sleep apnea patients. An individual who weighs 200 pounds can benefit from a 20-pound weight loss.


Can losing weight make sleep apnea worse?

It can improve your joints, reduce issues with high blood pressure and provide a significant boost to your vitality. So, weight loss is certainly never going to be the wrong choice and definitely won't make your sleep apnea worse. It can only make it better.

Can sleep apnea reversed?

Does sleep apnea go away? The answer is no, although it is a common question among people with a sleep apnea diagnosis. While there is no cure for this chronic condition, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that can reduce your sleep apnea symptoms.


Does exercise help with sleep apnea?



What is the best sleep position for sleep apnea?

Snoring and sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea causes the airways to collapse during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. It often goes hand-in-hand with snoring. Positioning yourself on your side or stomach can help the airways stay open to reduce snoring and alleviate mild apnea, Salas says.

How do you reverse sleep apnea?

Treatment
  1. Lose weight if you're overweight.
  2. Exercise regularly.
  3. Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. Don't drink in the hours before bedtime.
  4. Quit smoking.
  5. Use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications.
  6. Don't sleep on your back.
  7. Avoid taking sedative medications such as anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills.


Can sleep apnea be fixed with diet?

But a growing body of research suggests that improving your eating habits by cutting out ultra-processed foods, cutting back on alcohol and increasing your daily steps can reduce symptoms of sleep apnea and potentially even eliminate it.


Do you have to use a CPAP machine forever?

Unfortunately, CPAP does not cure sleep apnea. When in use, it simply controls your symptoms by keeping your airway open while you sleep. If you stop using CPAP your airway will once again close and you will experience apneas. For most people with sleep apnea, CPAP is a life-long treatment.

Can losing 10 pounds help sleep apnea?

Q: Can weight loss cure sleep apnea? A: The short answer is no. While there are several sleep apnea treatment options available, there is no cure. However, weight loss may help reduce sleep apnea symptoms for some people, but only if you have obstructive sleep apnea.

What is the main cause of sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. These muscles support structures including the back of the roof of your mouth (soft palate), the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula), the tonsils and the tongue.


How much weight gain causes sleep apnea?

Some research has shown that adding just 10 percent of your weight (for example, 20 pounds if you are 200 pounds) can up your risk of developing the sleep breathing disorder by six times!

Why does CPAP cause weight gain?

First, the increased air pressure from the CPAP machine may make it more difficult for the body to expel air, leading to an increase in body mass. Second, CPAP therapy can cause less deep sleep, often linked to increases in body weight.

Should I wear CPAP when napping?

Always use CPAP when you sleep.

Even if you're just putting your head down at your desk for a quick power nap, you're likely experiencing disruptive, harmful apneas if you're not using CPAP.


What is the success rate of CPAP?

While CPAP is highly successful when used properly, many patients have trouble complying with the directives, leaving only 23% - 45% of patients who have success with the CPAP method. When used as directed, however, the success rate of CPAP is nearly 100%!

What foods trigger sleep apnea?

Foods to Avoid If You Have Sleep Apnea
  • Fatty Meats. Eating a lot of fatty red meats can cause inflammation in the body, which is closely linked to heart disease. ...
  • High-Fat Dairy Products. ...
  • Bananas. ...
  • Foods with Melatonin. ...
  • Omega-3 Foods. ...
  • Tryptophan-Rich Foods.


What worsens sleep apnea?

Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers.

These substances relax the muscles in your throat, which can worsen obstructive sleep apnea.


What foods reduce sleep apnea?

Foods That Help

Asparagus, corn, cherries, grapes, broccoli, and cucumbers all contain this sleepy hormone. And, many recommend tart cherry juice as the best natural source of melatonin. Just make sure to brush your teeth after drinking juice, especially before bed.

Can you fix sleep apnea yourself?

In some cases, sleep apnea can resolve if you return to a healthy weight, but it can recur if you regain the weight. Exercise. Regular exercise can help ease the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea even without weight loss. Try to get 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as a brisk walk, most days of the week.

How do you fix sleep apnea without a CPAP machine?

5 Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
  1. Oral Appliances. Just as there are dental professionals who specialize in orthodontics or dental implants, there are also those who can help with sleep apnea. ...
  2. Oral Surgery. In some cases, genetics can be the cause of sleep apnea. ...
  3. Weight Loss. ...
  4. Positional Therapy. ...
  5. Inspire Therapy.


Does sleeping with head up help sleep apnea?

Head-of-bed elevation (HOBE) has been shown to effectively reduce OSA severity in small studies [13, 14].

Is it better to sleep with your head high or low for sleep apnea?

"Sleeping with the head as elevated and upright as possible, such as with an adjustable bed or recliner, may be helpful in improving sleep apnea symptoms." Wedge-shaped pillows made of foam rather than a squishier material can help you achieve the right position that keeps the airway more open.

Can Apple Watch detect sleep apnea?

Can an Apple Watch Detect Sleep Apnea? Like Fitbit and other wearables, the Apple Watch can detect certain parameters like heart rate and blood oxygen saturation that may indicate sleep apnea, but it cannot comprehensively detect or diagnose sleep apnea.


What is CPAP belly?

Associated with the increased use of nasal CPAP has been the development of marked bowel distension (CPAP belly syndrome), which occurs as the infant's respiratory status improves and the baby becomes more vigorous.

Does sleep apnea cause belly fat?

Those with the sleep disorder can have increased insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, weight gain, and the body storing more fat, especially belly fat. Sleep apnea may cause metabolic dysfunction through a few different pathways.