How Obesity Affects Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Tom Babu, Consultant Diabetologist & Endocrinologist - Written by Jasni Salim - Updated on 24/09/2024

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions are known as apneas and entail the contracting of muscles in the throat area to a level that it cuts off the airway. The best-identified and fully understood risk factor for OSA is obesity. In this blog, we will therefore discuss how obesity causes sleep apnea, and the importance of weight loss interventions for the treatment of this medical condition.

The Link Between Obesity and OSA

Obesity is a major cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), with research showing that up to 90% of adults with OSA are overweight. Here's how obesity causes sleep apnea through different physical changes:

• Fat Around the Throat: Being overweight leads to the development of pharyngeal fat that accumulates around the neck and throat. It can reduce the size of the airway to the extent that it is likely to collapse during sleep.
• Smaller Lung Capacity: Excess fat often accumulates in the belly and this can put pressure on the chest cavity making the lungs smaller. Thus, there is less air circulation around the airway, and it becomes more collapsible.
• Higher Airway Resistance: Obesity can also reduce the compliance of the airway as well as make the airway less permeable to airflow. More tissue in the throat makes it possible for the airway to be blocked each time the muscles and tissues are relaxed during the night.
• Inflammation: Inflammation is known to be promoted by obesity, and this is particularly a risk factor for development of the airway collapse.

Health Risks of Sleep Apnea and Excess Weight

When people with sleep apnea don’t get enough good-quality sleep, it puts a lot of strain on their heart, metabolism, and lungs. This is especially concerning for those who are obese, as obesity already increases the risk of heart, lung, and metabolic problems.

Sleep Apnea and Heart Health

There are several ways in which sleep apnea damages the heart. Every instance when a person stops breathing while asleep, the person’s oxygen levels are reduced. As a result, the body sets off an alarm known as a ‘fight or flight’ mechanism. Such makes blood pressure elevate in addition to raising the heart rate to forcefully awake the person to resume breathing and this continues the entire night. And this is done over and over during the entirety of the night. It has been proven that repeated hypoxia and re-oxygenation may result in blood vessel inflammation and subsequent plaque formation leading to heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension.

Apart from the above, sleep apnea also increases the levels of carbon dioxide and blood glucose, alters the neurological balance regulating the heart and blood circulation, promotes insulin resistance, and disrupts the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the body. For this reason, sleep apnea is found in conjunction with the following health risks:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeats)
• Coronary heart failure
• Stroke, or the commonly termed mini-strokes (TIA)
• Coronary heart disease
• Type II diabetes
• Managing OSA Through Weight Loss

As chronic overweight conditions and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) inseparably affect each other, losing weight is often considered one of the main options for addressing OSA. It has been stated that even a small amount of weight loss is sufficient to provide improvement in the status of the OSA. Below are some helpful tips for managing weight loss and sleep apnea:

• Balanced Nutrition: Consuming adequate amounts of fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains in a healthy diet, will make it easier to lose weight and enhance health.
• Consistent Physical Activity: Regular exercise would not only help you shed off the extra fat but would also contribute positively to the quality and quantity of sleep.
• Surgical Interventions: For morbidly obese and OSA patients, adjunct modalities such as bariatric procedures may be appropriate.
• CPAP Therapy: Although the process of weighing is time-consuming, the use of the CPAP device will assist in the breathing process as it ensures the spa remains open to air that is being taken in while the patient is sleeping.

Conclusion

Early action is essential when it comes to managing sleep issues and weight, as it helps prevent complications and improves quality of life. With proper treatment, sleep apnea has a very positive outlook. It’s never too late or too early to take charge of your weight and health.

If you think you may have sleep apnea or are dealing with obesity, contact Silverline Hospital in Kerala. Our personalized care ensures you will receive individual attention and customized treatment plans for weight loss and sleep apnea. Equipped with cutting-edge facilities and advanced technology, we offer accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.