There have been a countless number of studies which demonstrated that there is a very close link between sleep and weight. Sleep deprivation such a huge factor for weight loss, which can undermine weight loss efforts. In fact, being sleep deprived works as adding a Big Mac to your diet. Insufficient sleep is a huge factor which impacts the weight of a person, just like exercise and diet. So, sleep apnea, the condition where people stop breathing during sleep, even 30 times or more per hour, can have a negative impact on a person’s weight.

It is estimated that about 26 percent of American adults have some degree of sleep apnea. In fact, about 1 person in 30 suffers from a severe form of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is quite common among obese people and it affects about 45 percent of people who are obese.

Why Sleep Matters?

A number of studies have shown that people eat more when they are sleep deprived. In fact, people tend to eat as many as 550 extra calories a day when they are sleep deprived. This is so becausesleep influences levels of hormones, which affect our feelings of hunger and fullness. Consequently, when we lack sleep, we crave more carbs. You might be on a diet, but being sleep deprived will make it harder for you to lose weight. It has been discovered that people who lack sleep lose less body fat, but more lean muscle mass.

Sometimes, getting seven or more hours of sleep can be a challenging task. The main reasons seem to be the hectic lifestyle, family life, technology, and stresses. They can all hinder our sleep and we can lack the necessary sleep, even for days.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

Weight gain is one of the main causes of obstructive sleep apnea. This is so because when we get extra weight, there is more fat in the area around the throat, which can obstruct breathing. Then, sleep apnea can make obesity even worse and leave a person chronically sleep deprived. Getting some extra weight can make things even worse, and deteriorate sleep apnea. The cycle seems to be ongoing. Weight is only one of the many potential complications of sleep apnea. Other issues which are often linked to sleep apnea include cardiovascular issues, hypertension, and diabetes.

What Can You Do About It?

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to improve your condition. The most important thing you can do is losing the extra weight, which can improve or even reverse sleep apnea. Simply by losing about 10 percent of body fat can lower the severity of sleep apnea by 30 percent. In fact, it can even reduce the sleep apnea events throughout the night even to one-third.

On the other hand, treating sleep apnea can also help you shed the extra pounds, as well as, improve your overall health. Getting the proper treatment for sleep apnea means that you are likely to receive many significant improvements in energy and blood pressure. Feeling more energetic will motivate you to do more exercise or other things for weight loss. Many people who have received treatment for sleep apnea have reported that they are feeling more refreshed and energetic. Additionally, studies have shown that they even looked more attractive and younger.

Hence, if you think that you have sleep apnea or you experience some common symptoms, such as snoring, waking up with a dry mouth or a headache, you should definitely undergo a sleep study to get a proper diagnosis.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

As soon as you are diagnosed with sleep apnea and know how severe the condition it is, your doctor will recommend a treatment. The most popular and effective treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP. This is a machine which features a mask that should be placed over your nose and delivers just enough air pressure to help keep your upper airway passages open. This treatment might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but when you get used to it, it will be a life-changing experience. Besides, CPAP, you can also use oral appliances similar to a retainer, and nasal patches.

In a nutshell, sleep deprivation can affect your overall health, including the weight loss process. When it comes to weight loss, sleep is as important as diet and exercise.