You’ve probably heard of sleep apnea. Maybe you know somebody who has it.
The best known symptom is loud, gasping snoring. It may seem funny until you learn just how dangerous it can be.
People who have sleep apnea don’t know it, but they stop breathing when they're sleeping. This is because their airway is being blocked by extra tissue.
After a minute or so without air, their brain wakes their body and makes it gasp for air. This can happen hundreds of times per night.
People who have sleep apnea are often extremely tired during the day.
They're at risk for a number of serious health conditions like:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- stroke
They also have a much greater chance of falling asleep behind the wheel of their car.
Are You at Risk?
One of the main risk factors for sleep apnea is being obese or overweight.
TweetThis is because the extra fat and tissue that they have in their neck adds pressure to the airway.
There are several different treatments available for those who have sleep apnea, with the most familiar being the use of a CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine.
CPAP works to stop the symptoms of sleep apnea by sending a constant flow of air down the patient’s throat.
Still, It is not a cure for sleep apnea.
A lot of patients don't like to use the machine. It can be noisy and the only way that it works is if patients wear a mask over their face when they sleep.
Many people report that once they feel better they think their problem is gone and they stop using it. This is dangerous, and puts them back at risk.
Studies have shown that the most effective way to put an end to sleep apnea is to lose weight.
Unfortunately, it has also been shown that having sleep apnea can add to the risk of gaining weight.
All this can add up to a vicious cycle!
This is because people who suffer from a lack of sleep have a higher level of the hormone ghrelin, which makes you hungry. They also have lower levels of the hormone leptin, which tells you when you are full.
When you add this to the fact that lack of sleep cuts down on the energy you need to want to exercise, it’s no wonder that people feel frustrated when they're caught in this cycle.
The Sleep Apnea Solution
The solution to this problem is to use the tools available to address your sleep apnea so that you can take initiative to lose weight.
Then you can stop using the tools. By agreeing to use a CPAP machine or some other oral device that allows you to breathe at night and get a good night of sleep, you restore your hormone levels to where they need to be. You also give yourself extra energy so that you can exercise.
When you combine this with clean eating, you will soon lose enough weight to end your sleep apnea problem.
Yours in Health,
Danette
P.S. Please help me spread the word and I welcome your comments below. Do you or someone you know suffer with Sleep Apnea?
