There are many Sleep Apnea treatment options available out there, and in some cases, it can even be cured! For people who are overweight and suffering from sleep apnea, simply losing some weight may resolve the disorder.
While Continuous Positive Airway (CPAP) devices and other oral appliances can ease sleep apnea symptoms and provide a better night’s sleep, they do not actually cure the disorder. They just help you manage it.
The only cures for obstructive sleep apnea are either weight loss or a surgical procedure to remove the excess tissues from the palate and throat the disorder. The problem with surgery, as you might expect, is that it is invasive and comes with side effects. For this reason, it should only be considered a last resort.
If you are overweight or obese, one of the most effective things you can do to cure your sleep apnea is to lose some weight.
There is a well-established link between sleep apnea and excess weight. People who are overweight may have extra tissue at the backs of their throats, and when this tissue falls down over the airway, blocking the flow of air into the lungs during sleep, sleep apnea is the result.
Of course, losing weight is much easier said than done. It requires significant and challenging lifestyle and dietary changes and serious commitment. But considering how important a good night's sleep is to your overall health and wellbeing, it is essential that sleep apnea sufferers find a way to manage or eliminate their symptoms. And when it comes to eliminating sleep apnea, weight loss can certainly yield results.
Losing 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.