Snoring is characterised by noisy breathing that occurs when a person’s airway is partially blocked during sleep. Sleep apnea, on the other hand, is a sleep disorder that is signified by a complete pause in breathing during sleep. These pauses in breathing can last for a few seconds to minutes and may also occur multiple times throughout the night. Sleep apnea is also often accompanied by loud snoring.
In people with obesity, there is an accumulation of fatty tissues around the tongue, throat and neck, which narrows a person’s airway, resulting in increased resistance to airflow and disrupted breathing when the person is asleep. This can result in snoring, further obstructing the airway and making it more likely for the breathing to become shallow, leading to episodes of sleep apnea.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the intricate connection between snoring, sleep apnea and obesity, exploring the underlying causes, associated risk factors, and holistic treatments options.
Obesity and snoring often go hand in hand. When we examine the connection between obesity and snoring, it becomes evident that excess weight can cause and exacerbate snoring. Excess weight can lead to the accumulation of fatty tissues around the throat and neck area, blocking the airways, and causing a partial blockage resulting in snoring.
Obesity is also associated with poor muscle tone in the throat and neck, increasing the chances of airway collapse during sleep.
But did you know that the relationship between obesity and snoring is bidirectional?
Were you aware that weight loss could positively impact snoring? It reduces snoring frequency and intensity by alleviating the pressure on the airways, leading to improved airflow and a reduction in snoring.
The relationship between obesity and sleep apnea is complex and bidirectional. Understanding the connection between the two is crucial for managing both conditions effectively.
So let’s begin by answering the question, “Does obesity cause Sleep Apnea?” Yes, obesity can put excess weight on the respiratory system. The accumulation of fat in the neck and throat region can obstruct airways by narrowing them, making it difficult to breathe during sleep. The narrowing of airways can lead to sleep apnea episodes characterised by breathing pauses or shallow breathing.
Can Sleep Apnea cause weight gain and lead to obesity?
Sleep apnea disrupts normal sleep patterns, leading to repeated awakening. This sleep disruption can lead to hormonal imbalances. It specifically affects the hormones responsible for regulating your appetite and metabolism, thereby increasing your appetite and making you crave foods high in carbs and calories. The lack of quality sleep can also lead to decreased energy levels, making it harder to perform physical activities and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Can Sleep Apnea go away with weight loss?
Since obesity is one of the factors contributing to sleep apnea, weight loss can alleviate or eliminate the symptoms of sleep apnea. It does so by reducing the pressure on the respiratory system.
Myofunctional therapy, conducted by trained professionals, addresses the underlying issues by strengthening the face and tongue muscles. This can alleviate snoring and sleep apnea.
If you are want to learn more about the different types of exercises a myofunctional therapist might suggest for snoring, head over to our blog: Effective Snoring Exercises For A Good Night’s Sleep
Airway orthodontic treatments use various techniques to address these issues to free the airway obstruction, promoting better airflow. It fixes poor teeth alignment and improper jaw positioning to reduce sleep-disordered breathing problems.
Correcting tongue function and mobility is an important aspect of addressing breathing and sleep-related issues such as snoring and sleep apnea. It is especially necessary for people with tongue tie, a condition in which tongue movement is restricted because the band that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is either short or thick.
The correct alignment and positioning of the jaws play a crucial role in ensuring unobstructed airflow during sleep. This, in turn, leads to improved airflow, reduced snoring, and diminished sleep apnea symptoms. The use of these oral appliances frees the airway of any obstruction, allowing for optimal breathing during sleep.
Oral sleep appliances can also be used to treat other breathing related sleep disorders such as Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS), mouth breathing, and daytime sleepiness.
