Sleep Apnea can be treated in a variety of ways, but in some cases it can also be cured! For people who are overweight and suffering from sleep apnea, simply losing some weight can resolve the disorder.
While CPAP devices and other oral appliances can ease the symptoms of sleep apnea and provide a better night’s sleep, they are not actually cures for the disorder itself.
The only ways that obstructive sleep apnea can be cured are weight loss or surgery to remove the excess tissues from the palate and throat that cause sleep apnea. However, surgery is invasive and can have side effects, so it’s usually only considered as a last resort.
If you are overweight or obese, the most effective way to rid yourself of your sleep apnea disorder is to lose some weight.
The link between sleep apnea and excess weight is well established. People who carry excess weight have extra tissue at the backs of their throats. This tissue can fall down over the airway, blocking the flow of air into the lungs during sleep. And that’s sleep apnea.
Of course, losing weight is easier said than done! It’s no small feat, and requires a variety of lifestyle and dietary changes. But when it comes to lessening the impact of, and even curing, sleep apnea, it certainly can yield results.
Losing just 10% of your overall body weight can significantly diminish your sleep apnea symptoms, and losing a significant amount of weight can even cure the condition completely.
If you are overweight and also suffering from sleep apnea, weight loss may be the first step in easing your symptoms and even curing the disease.
