[Sleepnet.com's Homepage] [Sleep Disorders] [Sleep Links] [Search]

Sleep Apnea and Weight

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Apnea Forum134 ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Sandman on February 18, 2009 at 11:56:43:

I received an email today asking if there was a correlation between sleep apnea severity and weight gain or loss. Here is my reply and I hope you guys can contribute what you know and share your experiences. This along with your input will be added to the sleep apnea information page.

There isn't an actual correlation between weight change and sleep apnea severity available. Everyone is different. You would think with weight loss osa severity would decrease, but not always. It depends on many factors.

There is a difference in gender. Women tend to gain and lose weight more at the hips where men tend to gain weight around the neck. So typically, for a woman, it would take much more weight loss than a man to have a significant effect.

Weight loss alone does not cure someone who has significant sleep apnea. It can decrease the cpap pressure needed to make cpap more tolerable but cures are very rare.

One reason weight is not the only factor is our facial and airway bone structure. They are very important, especially growing up.

Many times we inherit our bone structure, from our parents, that can give, or help produce a narrow airway as we age.

A narrow airway can then cause further changes in facial features as we become older. Here is a list of some changes that can happen as we age.

1. A small recessed lower jaw. This will move the tongue back and create a smaller oral cavity. (studies have shown most men with beards have sleep apnea and the beard is used to create a fuller looking face)

2. An overbite (many times braces were used to correct this. Typically the orthodontist moved the upper teeth back to align with the bottom. This decreased the space available for the tongue. Some orthodontist are now getting the message.

3. A high arched hard palate. (so narrow the tongue can't fit flat up against the roof of your mouth) Again, less room for the tongue.

4. In some cases a long face (called long face syndrome).

The 4 facial features listed above, in many cases, can be reversed if recognized and treated early in life by a qualified specialist in this area.

I will try to post some before and after photos soon.

Once our bones stop growing, we are stuck with what we have without undergoing surgery. If these problems are found at a young age, while our bones are still growing, they can be corrected without surgery.

There are many techniques used in children today who's bones are still growing. Here are a couple.

1. A device that can spread the upper teeth apart to correct for a narrow hard palate which will give the tongue more room during sleep.

2. Fixing any problem with the nasal airway will help the growth of the lower jaw and will indirectly help widen the hard palate (these kids are usually called mouth breathers). Keeping the mouth shut helps provide pressure against the teeth from the tongue, which is growing, to spread the oral cavity wider.

If you want to add to this list or make corrections please do. Again, after receiving all your input I will add this topic to the Sleep Apnea Information page.

Best wishes,
Sandman

Disclaimer, I am not an MD and my opinions should not be taken as medical advice. If you feel that you need assistance with medications and/or diagnosis, you should seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

Follow Ups:


Post a Followup

E-Mail  :  required - same address used when you registered (will not show up in posting)
Password:  required (sent to you when you registered)

Subject : Re: Sleep Apnea and Weight

Comments:....note: including your email address here will result in the removal of your posting (See removal policy)

PLEASE ONLY CLICK THE SUBMIT FOLLOW UP BUTTON ONCE!!. Thanks, Sandman

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Apnea Forum134 ] [ FAQ ]