Yes, if untreated, it is hard to lose weight. If treated properly, it should help you lose weight.
Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Are you trying to lose weight but not seeing any results?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where an individual stops breathing dozens of times per night due to temporary blockages in their airways.
It can be caused by a range of factors, including obesity and anatomical issues, as well as lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
Sleep apnea can cause tiredness during the day, and is associated with high blood pressure and diabetes.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it may be difficult for you to lose those extra pounds.
In this article, we will take a look at how poor quality sleep caused by sleep apnea can affect your ability to achieve weight loss goals.
We will also discuss some strategies that may help improve your sleep quality so that you can work towards achieving desirable results when trying to lose excess weight.
Does sleep apnea make it hard to lose weight?
Sleep apnea can make it difficult to lose weight, as it slows down your metabolism and can even cause weight gain.
This means that you may not be able to lose weight at all, or that the process will be much slower than usual.
It is important to take steps to control your sleep apnea before attempting to lose weight, as this will give you the best chance of seeing results.
When attempting to shed pounds, the pressure on your body caused by sleep apnea can make it more challenging.
This is due to increased insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, and glucose intolerance.
This can also lead to fatigue and difficulty concentrating during the day, which can make it hard to stick with a healthy diet and exercise plan.
In addition, people with sleep apnea are more likely to have higher levels of the hormone ghrelin, which increases appetite and cravings for unhealthy foods.
How can I lose weight with sleep apnea?
The good news is that treating sleep apnea can help you lose weight.
Treatments such as CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines, oral appliances, and lifestyle changes can all help to reduce the severity of your sleep apnea and improve your quality of sleep.
This will in turn help to regulate your metabolism and hormones, making it easier for you to achieve your weight loss goals.
Firstly, if you think your sleep apnea is mild, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You should consume nutritious food, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
It is also important to get enough sleep. Be sure to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night and aim to maintain consistent bedtimes and wake-up times.
This will help your body regulate its hormones and metabolism, making it easier for you to lose weight.
If you still can’t lose any weight, it is time to see a doctor or ENT.
Your doctor will be able to diagnose your sleep apnea, by having you take a sleep study, and recommend the best treatment for you. This may include CPAP machines or oral appliances.
Either of these will help you sleep better and treat the issue at hand, sleep apnea, so that your metabolism and hormones can balance out again. Then, once this happens, you will be able to lose weight more easily.
Studies suggest that if you can lose 7-10% of your body fat that symptoms of sleep apnea will reduce, and possibly can get rid of it completely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sleep apnea can make it difficult to lose weight. It slows down your metabolism, alters your hormones, and can make the process of losing weight much slower than usual.
However, by taking steps to control your sleep apnea and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you should be able to improve your mood and sleep quality which will make it easier to lose weight.
