Why does Sleep Apnea Cause Weight Gain

If you have been diagnosed with OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea, by your doctor or dentist, you may have many questions. You may not be familiar with the condition or how it can be impacted by other problems in the body. This includes the link between sleep apnea and weight gain. Drs. James Tasto, Dr. Allan McQuarrie, Gary M. Sigafoos, Bita Farhoumand, and Marisa Zarchy of Scripps West Dental work routinely with San Diego, CA area patients to not only get them a definitive diagnosis of their condition but understand how it relates to other medical conditions and parts of the body.

What is the connection between obstructive sleep apnea and gaining weight?

There are many potential causes of weight gain, and sleep apnea may be one of them. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder and condition in which your breathing is interrupted during sleep. It causes frequent waking throughout the night. It can also make you feel tired all day, making it harder to concentrate at work and home.

How does obstructive sleep apnea cause weight gain?

There are several ways that sleep apnea may contribute to weight gain. First, interrupted sleep can cause you to feel tired during the day. This can make it harder to exercise and make healthy choices about what you eat. Second, sleep apnea can cause changes in your hormone levels, which can ultimately lead to increased hunger and cravings for unhealthy foods. Third, sleep apnea may increase your risk of developing other medical conditions, such as diabetes, that can also cause weight gain.

How weight gain can make obstructive sleep apnea worse

Increased weight can make conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea worse. This is because extra weight can lead to more tissue in the throat. These tissues can block the airway. If you are overweight or obese and have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, losing weight may help improve your condition and make it easier to manage.

In addition to weight loss, there are other treatments for sleep apnea. These include wearing a special mask during sleep, called a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This device is used to manage sleep apnea for many patients. However, the device can be cumbersome and challenging to travel with, causing many patients to stop using them. Alternatively, patients with severe sleep apnea may want to undergo surgery to remove excess tissues from the throat area. However, at Scripps West Dental, we often encourage patients to ask about oral appliance therapy. Oral appliance therapy is a special treatment that uses a unique mouth guard worn at night to move the jaw forward and increase the space behind the tongue, opening up the airways and reducing the problems associated with this sleep disorder. This device, known as a MAD (Mandibular Advancement Device), is an effective way to reduce the risk of obstruction and avoid sleep fragmentation. It is an easy and comfortable way to address OSA effectively, not only addressing the problems associated with this condition but also reduces snoring caused by vibration of the soft tissues in the throat. This means better rest for you–and your sleeping partner!

Obtain sleep apnea treatment with Mira Mesa and San Diego, CA area dentists.

If you believe you may have sleep apnea or other dental concerns, talk to one of our dentists at Scripps West Dental to learn about your treatment options. Drs. James Tasto, Dr. Allan McQuarrie, Gary M. Sigafoos, Bita Farhoumand, and Marisa Zarchy work together with you to help you find the best treatment for your situation. Call the office at (858) 695-1776 to request a consultation visit with our team at 9420 Mira Mesa Boulevard, Suite D.