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There’s a strong correlation between sleep apnea and weight. Being overweight is a major risk factor for sleep apnea since it can negatively affect your ability to breathe while you sleep. Additionally, weight problems can aggravate other health issues related to sleep apnea, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Losing weight can be challenging, especially when other factors are working against you. Such factors can include genetics, the availability of nutritious food, a sedentary lifestyle, etc. For those who suffer from sleep apnea, losing weight is difficult, but can be beneficial for your health. Read below to learn more.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are commonly prescribed to treat sleep apnea. Unfortunately, as many as four out of five CPAP users don’t use their machines for the full recommended amount of time each night. The main reason is because the machine is noisy and uncomfortable to sleep in.
Researchers did a study and recorded that on average, CPAP users see an increase in their body-mass index (BMI). It was found that CPAP was ineffective for these patients and wasn’t treating their condition.
Losing weight is an effective way to reduce your sleep apnea symptoms and treat your condition. Studies have found great improvement in sleep apnea symptoms over time when patients are committed to finding a balanced diet and living a more active life.
Additionally, weight loss also helps with reducing the risk of associated complications such as:
If you’re experiencing one or more symptoms, schedule your consultation with one of our sleep dentists in your area to get the treatment you need.
Not everyone enjoys working out despite knowing it’s necessary for your overall health. However, working out doesn’t have to be about hitting the gym hard for hours, as this can often be unhealthy, counterproductive, and present an increased risk of injury.
When it comes to working out, it’s important to find activities that you thoroughly enjoy. Being able to incorporate the activities into your lifestyle will help you accomplish your health goals. These are some weight loss activities that can be beneficial for you:
Besides a good workout routine, incorporating a healthy diet into your life is the best way to lose excess weight and manage sleep apnea symptoms. While committing to a strict diet long-term can be difficult and tedious, it doesn’t have to be. It’s important to find a diet that will be effective for you while still allowing you to eat some of your favorite foods.
The Mediterranean diet is a common diet that’s been known to be successful and can significantly improve the symptoms of sleep apnea. There are many benefits to this diet, such as:
