Sleep Apnea and Weight
Sleep apnea has many dangerous side effects such as high blood pressure, increased risk of developing diabetes, and cognitive consequences. But, one other dangerous side effect – and often a symptom of the condition is unexplained weight gain, obesity or difficulty losing weight. Why and how does sleep apnea affect your waistline? Find out in this blog from Dr. Dunia Korous and Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas.
What Contributes to Weight Gain?
In one word, food. Much of how we live, celebrate, and how we even cope revolves around food. But, food isn’t the actual problem. The problem is a sedentary lifestyle coupled with our own misinterpretation of what we need. We may be tired or thirsty but reach for food instead.
How Does Sleep Apnea Contribute to Weight Gain?
Like we mentioned above, patients living with sleep apnea have a higher risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. Many sleep apnea sufferers also experience changes in libido, frequent headaches, depression, and mood swings.
Medications to treat these conditions can negatively affect the metabolism, making you gain weight.
When we are tired, we are far less motivated to work out or cook healthy meals. We become far more likely to reach for convenience foods or just sit in front of the TV, so we gain more weight.
The Vicious Cycle.
Additional weight worsens your sleep apnea, which in turns causes more health problems and more weight gain.
So, are you stuck in this continuous cycle of sleep apnea and weight gain?
The answer is no; you’re not. You have options. You have Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas.
Dr. Korous can help treat your sleep apnea, getting you the more restful night’s sleep you deserve. Once you sleep better, you will begin to feel better and have more energy. More energy translates into improved health and time to focus on improving your health through exercise and eating healthily.
We do suggest that you talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen to make sure what you’re doing is tailored to your health and activity level.
How Does Sleep Apnea Make It Hard to Lose Weight?
Research has shown that sleep apnea causes physiological changes to your body, including insulin resistance and glucose intolerance that can make taking the weight off.
Want to learn more about how Millennium Smiles is helping patients with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders? Call us now to schedule a sleep study and consultation.