Most people think that if they lose weight, then their snoring and sleep apnea will magically disappear. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Your doctor might suggest that you undergo surgery if you’re really determined to lose weight and keep it off. However, before you make any serious changes to your lifestyle, you should know the facts about sleep apnea and how much weight it takes to alleviate the symptoms.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which you suffer from an obstruction in your breathing during sleep. This happens when your throat relaxes during sleep and causes your tongue to prolapse. When this happens, you may start to snore or experience other symptoms like daytime sleepiness. If you have sleep apnea and are determined to get rid of it, then losing weight is a great place to start.
There are actually two types of sleep apnea – obstructive and central. With the latter type, the brain doesn’t get the sleep signal from the lungs, so the individual remains conscious while they are having this problem. In most cases, the obstructive type is what your doctor will recommend you undergo surgery for. However, in some cases, the central type may be treated successfully with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask.
How Much Weight Do I Have To Lose To Get Relief From The Symptoms?
If you have sleep apnea and are looking for relief, then you have to lose a certain amount of weight. The exact amount varies from person to person, but in general, it takes somewhere around 10 to 15 pounds from your body. If you’re only moderately overweight, then you may not experience any symptoms at all. However, if you’re severely overweight, then losing even 5 or 10 pounds can make a huge difference. Just remember that there’s no exact rule around this. It’s all about what works best for you.
When Will I Start Seeing Results From Losing Weight?
This is a great question. Unfortunately, there’s no exact answer for this, as the results of your surgery will take time to show. In most cases, you’ll start to see improvements in your snoring and sleep apnea within the first few months after your surgery. However, it can take up to a year for the full effects of your surgery to be visible. During this time, you have to be patient and continue to lose weight steadily.
Are There Any Other Options Before I Lose Weight?
Yes, there are. If you have sleep apnea and are looking for a less invasive treatment option, then you have several alternatives. You can try uv light therapy or oral appliances. However, in most cases, these treatments aren’t a replacement for surgery and they definitely don’t have the same effects. If you want to avoid surgery, then the best thing to do is lose weight. You can find several articles on our blog that talk about the many benefits of losing weight.