Most Popular Articles
- 5 Common Sleep Disorders
- Weight Loss And Sleep
- Sleep Apnea Can Be Really Bad For Your Heart
- Could I Have Insomnia?
- How Can I Get Him To Stop Snoring?
- Essential Sleep
- American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Linked to Blood Vessel Abnormalities
- Sleep Movement Disorder Center
- The Power of a Good Night's Rest
- What Keeps You Up at Night?
- Sleep Disorders
- What you need to know about Sleep
- Treatment Options
- Press Release—Sleep Movement Disorder Center
- National Sleep Awareness Week: Cell phones, laptops, iPads and other devices are keeping us up at night
- When the Celtics need their Z’s, they call the Sleep Doctor
- Sleep Awareness Risk Assessment
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Sleep Apnea
- Insomnia
- Narcolepsy
- Sleep and Psychiatric Disorders
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
- Circadian Rhythm Disorders
- Children's Sleep Disorders
- Sleep Study Morristown Medical Center
- see more articles
Weight Loss And Sleep
"65% Of Americans Are Overweight And The Lack Of Quality Sleep Is Contributing To Obesity." - CDC 2010
Article by Federico Cerrone, MD, FCCP, FAASM
More people are becoming aware of sleep apnea which occurs when a person’s upper airway narrows or obstructs while they sleep. This can result in snoring if it is very mild or complete obstruction which can lead to high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and diabetes and low blood oxygen levels among other medical problems. These episodes recur all night leading to sleep interruption and poor sleep quality though the problem is usually picked up by the bed partner and not the individual with sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs more frequently in obese people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 65% of Americans are overweight or obese. Not only do we gain weight around our waists but around our necks as well. The increased fat in the neck is thought to put pressure on the airway contributing to blockage of airflow. It has been found that neck size is one risk factor of sleep apnea. For men, a neck size of more than 17 inches and women more than 16 inches places them at an increased risk.
It is a vicious cycle that many people suffer. Obesity can cause sleep apnea and patients with sleep apnea cannot lose weight. Individuals with sleep apnea tend to be fatigued which leads to disinterest in exercise. People who do not sleep enough suffer increased hunger levels despite the fact that they are not using more calories during wake time. Lack of sleep can stimulate the production of ghrelin, a hormone which increases appetite. This results in more weight gain. Patients with sleep apnea often experience increased fasting glucose which can also worsen with lack of sleep. This occurs since fat is more resistant to insulin than muscle. Insulin is the hormone that controls blood sugar. More fat leads to more glucose moving around the body. Hence, sleep apnea is also a risk factor for Type II diabetes.
Treatment of sleep apnea may help a person lose weight and weight loss will improve sleep apnea. If an individual is less sleepy and has more energy, they may be more motivated to exercise and stay active. In addition, metabolism levels will change as well. If you are overweight and sleep poorly or feel tired, especially if you have a history of snoring, seek help from your physician about possible sleep apnea.
Federico Cerrone, MD, FCCP, FASSM
Medical Director of the Atlantic Health Sleep Centers, Board Certified in Sleep Medicine, Internal Medical, Pulmonology, and Critical Care Medicine.
