Sleep Apnea: How it Relates to Obesity

Sleep apnea is a disorder that involves a reduction or pause in breathing during sleep.  Commonly, an apnea is said to occur when a person stops breathing for a period of more than 10 seconds.  Sleep is usually disrupted during an apnea as a result of inadequate breathing and low levels of oxygen in the blood. This causes a person to come out of a deep level of sleep and into a more shallow one, or to wake up completely.

Sleep apnea is classified into three different types: central sleep apnea (CSA), in which the brain fails to send a signal to the muscles to take a breath; obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which the brain sends the signal to the muscles and the muscles attempt to take a breath, but are unsuccessful due to the airway being obstructed; and mixed sleep apnea where both central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea are present.

Sleep apnea is often discussed with regards to obese people, and for good reason.  It has been estimated that 70% of obese individuals have obstructive sleep apnea. As a person becomes more obese, obstructive sleep apnea usually becomes more severe.

A healthy diet and lifestyle that encourages weight loss will improve obstructive sleep apnea. However, most people with obstructive sleep apnea are tired and don't have a lot of energy for exercise. Unfortunately, this causes a downward spiral where the more tired an individual is, the less exercise they get and the more they gain weight.  This of course leads to a worsening of the sleep apnea and thus more tiredness.

Non-surgical treatments for obstructive sleep apnea include medications, behavior therapy, dental appliances and continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure.  Allegheny Medical's physical therapy team can also create a custom fitness plan for overweight or obese patients who may be suffering from sleep apnea, in order to help restore proper function.  Call (412) 494-4550 for more information today.