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.

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 [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].

However, it's important to note that sleep apnea symptoms and the effectiveness of weight loss in managing the condition can vary based on individual factors, such as body mass index (BMI) and overall health.

Therefore, consulting a doctor is crucial before starting any weight loss exercise program to ensure personalized guidance and monitoring of your sleep apnea treatment.

Excess weight affects sleep apnea by causing the accumulation of fat in the neck, which blocks the upper airway, a factor that leads to the sudden stopping of breathing during sleep.

It also leads to the accumulation of fat in the abdomen, which also affects breathing. Obstructive sleep apnea is primarily common in obese people.

Here’s why.

The excess weight in obese patients creates fat deposits in the neck known as pharyngeal [5].

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 [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].

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.

Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns the calories you consume.

When you lack quality sleep, you’re mostly fatigued during the day.

Because of this, you tend to be less active, and the calories continue accumulating.

Over time, the lifestyle change leads to decreased resting metabolic rate.

You’re likely to gain weight without increasing your caloric intake [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 [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.

Yes, treating sleep apnea aids in weight loss. OSA patients who manage their sleep apnoea find it easier to lose weight.

Studies subjected two sets of OSA patients, with one set comprising patients who had undergone CPAP treatment.

The results showed a significant decrease in ghrelin levels after two days of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment [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 [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].