Does Losing Weight Help Sleep Apnea? (According to a Doctor)

No, losing weight can’t cure sleep apnoea, but it can significantly reduce its severity. In my MMA career, I've seen firsthand how shedding pounds doesn't exactly cure sleep apnea, but it sure takes the edge off its severity.

This is especially so with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a sleep disorder and the most common form of sleep apnoea [1].

With OSA, the problem starts with the fat deposits in the neck and tongue that restrict natural airflow during breathing.

Eliminating the fat deposits through weight loss can potentially treat the condition among other related health conditions, according to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine [2].

More on that shortly.

Another way weight loss improves obstructive sleep apnea is by reducing abdominal fat to allow the lungs to expand when breathing [3].

According to Harvard Medical School, losing weight equivalent to 10-15% of your body weight reduces the severity of sleep apnea [4].

Remember, sleep apnea symptoms and the impact of weight loss vary by individual factors like BMI and health. Always consult a doctor before beginning a weight loss program for tailored advice and sleep apnea management.

Excess weight contributes to sleep apnea by accumulating fat in the neck and abdomen, leading to obstructed airways and breathing interruptions. From my fighting days, I know too well how extra weight means more neck and belly fat, which really messes with your breathing at night.

This condition is more prevalent in obese individuals due to increased pharyngeal fat deposits [5].

In addition to overall weight loss, specific reductions in airway structures like the pterygoid and pharyngeal lateral wall have been shown to contribute to improvements in sleep apnea symptoms, emphasizing the multifaceted impact of weight loss on respiratory health.

The pharyngeal fat blocks your upper airways during sleep when the airway is relaxed. And when the airway is squeezed and forced through a restricted airway, it causes snoring — a common symptom of sleep apnoea, according to the research published in PubMed [6].

Visceral fat in the abdomen is another risk factor for sleep apnea.

The excess fat in the belly compresses the chest walls and decreases lung volume, reducing its capacity and diminishing airflow.

Other lesser common causes include enlarged tonsils, which block the airway, a large neck, narrow throat, lung diseases, heart problems, acid reflux, and endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease and diabetes [7].

Related Article: If I Lose Weight Will I Stop Snoring?

Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) is a combination of obesity and sleep-disordered breathing, which causes low levels of oxygen in the blood and high amounts of carbon dioxide at the same time [11].

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, obstructive sleep apnea is common among people with OHS. Individuals with OHS experience exerting pressure against their chest wall and lungs, which interferes with their ability to take deep breaths [12].

Experts assert that an overwhelming majority (up to 90%) of people with OHS also have sleep apnoea.

However, the reverse is not true— not everyone that suffers from OSA has OHS [13].

Additional studies on OHS have revealed a direct relation to Body Mass Index (BMI). People with a BMI greater than 50 have a higher chance of OHS than others [14].

OHS can cause an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the blood while decreasing oxygen levels.

Individuals suffering from such sleep disorders are at a high risk of contracting cardiovascular disease [15].

Among the main culprits are heart failure and high blood pressure.

Poor sleep often results in daytime fatigue, reducing physical activity and slowing your metabolism.

This decrease in metabolic rate can lead to weight gain, even without an increase in calorie intake, according to the WebMD [16].

Hormonal Changes

The lack of quality sleep also brings about hormonal imbalance, making it nearly impossible to lose weight [17].

When you’re not sleeping enough, the body is under enough stress to disrupt hormone production.

In particular, stress disrupts the production of leptin and ghrelin, hormones responsible for sending signals to the brain when your stomach is full and empty.

Leptin, which signals the brain when the stomach is full, is inhibited, while ghrelin, which signals the brain when the belly is empty, is produced more, according to the International Journal of Molecular Sciences [18].

The result of this? Non-stop eating and a setback to your weight loss ambitions.

“Sleep apnea patients have significantly higher ghrelin levels, the hormone that makes you feel hungry, and significantly lower leptin levels, the hormone that makes you feel full,"

-Chelsea Rohrscheib, Ph.D., Lead Sleep Specialist & Neuroscientist at Wesper

Increased Cravings and Decreased Willpower

Studies point out that you’re more likely to crave foods that give you a quick energy boost when you’re tired [19].

Furthermore, feeling tired continuously decreases your willpower and makes it challenging for you to make healthy choices.

Treating sleep apnea, particularly with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, can facilitate weight loss. From my experience, tackling sleep apnea head-on, especially with CPAP, really helped me keep my weight in check for fights.

In studies published in PubMed, OSA patients undergoing CPAP treatment showed a notable decrease in ghrelin levels, a hormone linked to hunger, within two days, aiding in weight management [20].

Interestingly, the long-term use of CPAP, the most effective sleep apnea treatment, has also been tied to weight gain.

So, it's wise not to rely solely on CPAP as a method of weight control [21].

Exercises that strengthen the facial and mouth muscles (myofunctional therapy) aid in repositioning the tongue.

Studies on the same have shown positive results in improving the quality of sleep and reducing symptoms of daytime sleepiness, according to the Nature and Science of Sleep [24].

Surgical Procedures

If the above treatments don't work, the last resort is surgery.

The doctor schedules a series of surgeries, including jaw surgery, an implant, and the removal of tonsils [25].