You might not realize that you have obstructive sleep apnea. Most with this condition don't know that they stop breathing for 10 to 20 seconds many times during sleep and then start breathing again with a gasp. According to Your Lung Health, sleep apnea affects as many as 18 million Americans. Loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and being overweight are clues that can reveal the condition. Weight loss can treat sleep apnea or reduce the severity.
Disrupted Sleep
Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction in the airway that does not cause symptoms during the day, but becomes worse at night when tissues in the throat relax. Those suffering from apnea may stop breathing as many as 30 times or more each night. Often the condition causes many brief awakenings from sleep that the individual does not remember in the morning. People affected sometimes fall asleep in the day during driving or activities. Sleep apnea may have a genetic component and run in families.
Weight Loss
Losing as little as 10 percent of body weight can reduce apnea episodes. Overweight contributes to the condition when excess fat in the neck makes the airway narrower. In mild cases, weight loss can make apnea disappear. In severe cases, it can reduce the number of episodes, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association.
Daytime tiredness caused by apnea episodes may hinder weight loss when the person is too tired to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is recommended that another treatment be used while weight loss is being pursued.
Other Treatments
Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP , is a treatment for apnea that is common and non-invasive, according to Your Lung Health. CPAP consists of a mask attached to a machine that blows air at a high enough pressure to keep the airway open. There are several types of surgery designed to open the airway, but results are not always effective. Dental appliances can be used to either push the lower jaw forward or prevent the tongue from blocking the airway. Since sleeping on the back makes apnea worse, some simply use a device to prevent them from lying on their backs. The device can be as simple as some tennis balls sewn into the back of a shirt.
Considerations
According to Your Lung Health, men suffer more often from apnea than women, but children can have it also. It is prudent to consult a doctor if you suspect apnea, as it can be associated with high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. If you are diagnosed, don't smoke or drink alcohol, since these things can make the condition worse.
You can see if you have sleep apnea by spending the night in a sleep lab, where technicians will monitor your vital signs and use equipment to count the number of apnea episodes.
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