Managing Weight Issues and the OSA Dilemma

According to researchers, obesity is one of the underlying causes of several health conditions that can lead to death if left unattended. Health is compromised because of too much fat in the system. Fatty deposits can occur anywhere in the body causing complications to arise. It can predispose the individual to complications like cardiac arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats thus making them prone to heart attacks and strokes. Would you believe that lack of sleep with oxygen deprivation can be a predisposing factor for these conditions as well? Sleep apnea refers to episodes of cessation of breathing for more than 10 seconds due to obstruction in the airflow from the mouth and nose to the lungs. Oxygen is needed by the body for proper functioning of all major organs and tissues.

There are two types of apnea, central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. The former refers to signals that travel between the brain and the muscles that are responsible for breathing. What happens during central sleep apnea is that there is a failure in the transmission of signal from the brain to the muscles used in breathing thus cessation occurs, and we wake up gasping for air. The latter, according to researchers occur in ninety percent of patients with sleep apnea. There is evident reduction of airflow due to a blockage by the tongue, tonsils, uvula, and fatty deposits in the neck tissue. Snoring commonly accompanies OSA and is a definite telltale sign that airflow is obstructed. The noisier and louder the snoring, the bigger the blockage is suspected.

Prior to the start of any therapeutic regime, the doctors need the individual to go through an extensive check up. Proper diagnosis is vital in determining the right and appropriate weight management plan for the obese individual. Physical exams, laboratory tests, x rays will determine other underlying medical conditions. A sleep study or the use of polysomnogram that measures brain activity, respiration, oxygen levels, and cardiac rhythm is the diagnostic exam that will aid in diagnosing sleep apnea as well as sleep apnea treatment. Treatment will commence once all data are collated.

Obese individuals frequently have large necks, becomes easily fatigued, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath and have heart problems. Sleep apnea is exacerbated by obesity and thus the need to look into weight management as part of the therapeutic regimen.

Weight reduction is vital in formulating a management plan for managing sleep apnea. Treatment of the individual\’s underlying medical condition should also be considered. Complete avoidance of alcohol and sedatives, diet restrictions or limits in the amount of food intake, proper and regulated exercises are just some of the steps that can be initiated to control and eliminate obesity. Evidence based research had shown that significant findings that a reduction in weight correlates to reduction in the onset of obstructive sleep apnea. The research had shown that approaches to weight loss provided a significant reduction in the occurrence of labored breathing and improvement in blood oxygenation and thus increasing the possibility of reducing the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Other sleep apnea treatments include surgical procedures like removal of tonsils and other tissues that may pose as obstructions.

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition and should not be left undiagnosed. We can help our loved ones improve their quality of life by helping them understand their condition. Obesity is an underlying cause of obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea treatment includes reduction in weight, avoidance of alcohol and sedatives, and exercise. Other forms of treatment are surgery to remove the obstructions. If there is proper compliance in the therapeutic regimen, there is no need to undergo a non weight loss approach like surgery.

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