It’s important to note that sleep matters because if you don’t get enough, it can cause weight gain. Due to the production of excessive amounts of Ghrelin (an appetite-stimulating hormone) and insufficient amounts of Leptin (an appetite-suppressing hormone), we find ourselves gaining more weight than ever before. Let’s take a look at sleeping well and losing weight.

Not only do you produce more appetite-stimulating hormones and less appetite-suppressing hormones, you will also find you are fatigued and less active. When this occurs, you might turn to that “couch potato” lifestyle of watching TV and lying around all day. While this can be relaxing, if you do it often, it could cause you to gain more weight, as it provides more time and opportunity to eat.

Additionally, with a lack of sleep due to sleep apnea, you can continue to remain overweight while experiencing a hard time losing weight. Several studies have been conducted to show the correlation between weight and sleep. By seeking proper treatment, you can not only get a better night’s sleep, but you can also begin to lose weight.

The biggest factor in sleep apnea is your weight. Weight gain typically causes sleep apnea, not the other way around. Extra weight means more fat in the throat area, which obstructs breathing. And when obesity occurs, sleep apnea can only worsen it, leaving a person chronically sleep-deprived, adding to weight. If you put on more pounds, it can continue to worsen your sleep apnea symptoms.

Losing weight can help improve and even reverse sleep apnea. So, guess what? Let’s start losing weight! Losing about 10 percent of excess weight can lower sleep apnea severity by at least 30%. This can result in fewer apnea events throughout the night. And, getting your sleep apnea under control can help you shed some extra pounds, too.

For more information on sleep apnea and weight loss, please contact Dr. Bonnie Foster, our dentist in Warrenton.