Sleep apnea is a common condition that affects a lot of people around the world. It wakes you up multiple times at night giving you poor sleep and a range of potential health issues. Among the other common issues associated with it, a common concern is: Can sleep apnea make you gain weight? Let's explore how it can be related to weight gain. 

Understanding Sleep Apnea 

Sleep apnea (SA) is a sleep disorder that typically presents itself in two types: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). If your throat muscles relax too much, blocking your upper airway and causing pauses in your breathing, primarily at night it is known as OSA. Similarly, if the brain is not controlling your breathing correctly it causes CSA. 

How Sleep Apnea Can Cause Weight Gain

Althogh, sleep apnea can not influence weight change directly but these two conditions are often linked. Let's see how SA causes weight gain;

1. Hormonal Changes: 

Sleep apnea disturbs the normal balance of hormones.

1. Hormone Melatonin decreases, which is usually responsible for better sleep, increased metabolism, and weight loss.
2. Additionally, people suffering from SA are chronic short-sleeper who shows increased levels of Ghrelin (stimulates appetite) and a decrease in Leptin which regulates body weight. Studies show that Leptin decreases with the severity of sleep apnoea.
3. Also, OSA has been strongly linked to the development of insulin resistance. This hormone is responsible for processing glucose in our diet, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. 
4. Furthermore, not getting enough sleep puts the body in a stress-like situation which produces a hormone known as cortisol (stress hormone). This hormone promotes fat deposits in our body leading to weight gain. 

2. Other Health Factors: 

Researchers link SA to other medical conditions like heart problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which are known to cause weight gain.

3. Fatigue:

Losing weight may become an issue if fatigue from lack of sleep makes you tired during the day as this makes you feel less motivated to exercise, leading to weight gain.

4. Emotional Eating:

Excessive tiredness throughout the day may cause you to take comfort in food resulting in overeating and increased weight.

Treating Sleep Apnea and Weight Gain

Consult a dentist to manage your SA through treatment options like sleep medicine, and continuous positive airway pressure for obstructive sleep apnea (CPAP) treatment.  Furthermore, do regular exercise to maintain a healthy body weight.

Conclusion

So, sleep apnea may not cause you to gain excess weight directly, but there is a connection between weight gain and obstructive sleep apnea. SA symptoms result in hormonal disruption, fatigue, lack of motivation, altered metabolism, and stress, all contributing to weight gain.

We are passionate about quality sleep at Houston Sleep Associates (HSA) in Houston, TX. Our years of experience ensure that patients receive the best care customized to their needs and desires!

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