Now, I'm not claiming that losing weight will cure sleep apnea, or even your snoring problem, but it's certainly not going to hurt. In case you hadn't noticed, America's in the midst of an epidemic - an obesity epidemic. Even Surgeon General David Satcher is alarmed. A study reveals that more than 60% of American adults over 20 years of age are overweight.
Two recent news items relate weight loss to sleep problems. Reuters Health reports that weight loss improves breathing problems during sleep. "Since the prevalence of overweight and obesity are high and increasing in the US,"says Dr. Paul E. Peppard of the Wisconsin School of Medicine, "we can expect a greater prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing."
Neil Sherman, HealthScout Reporter says:"Dropping a few pounds could end up giving you a better night's sleep. Gain some, and your chances of developing some type of sleep disorder seem to go up, as well."
One other word for those with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea and obesity go hand in hand. Sleep apnea saps your energy so you feel you don't have the strength to get up and exercise. Instead people sit and doze the day away. Some people even resort to eating in an effort to stay awake. But, besides the sedentary lifestyle and the eating problems, changes in the chemical makeup of the body because of the apnea also lead to weight gain.
Obesity isn't just a problem for people with sleep disorders, however. It also increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and myriad other diseases and disorders. Losing weight is also good for blood pressure. So much good can come from losing a few pounds. So why do many people turn their backs at the mention of a diet or exercise program?
Perhaps it's the belief that THEY aren't overweight, although a glance in the mirror suggests otherwise. Perhaps it's a fear that they won't be able to stick to the diet or exercise program. I'm not saying it will be easy, but neither should it be impossible. One of my readers has been a victim of sleep apnea for years. She goes to the pool and swims several laps every day. Yet another reason might be procrastination. They know they should lose weight, but they will start the program tomorrow, and many tomorrows may pass before they actually start, if they ever do.
