Explained: How obesity and belly fat can make you snore

Explained: How obesity and belly fat can make you snore

Explained: How obesity and belly fat can make you snore

New Delhi: Obesity develops a dangerous interactive relationship with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) leading to the worsening of both medical conditions. OSA represents a sleep disorder that causes the breathing airways to stop and start repeatedly throughout sleep thereby producing disturbed rest and reduced body oxygen levels. The medical condition most commonly occurs with obesity but it also affects people regardless of their weight status from overweight to young adults to thin individuals.

The Vicious Cycle Between Obesity and OSA

Dr Udaya Sureshkumar, Consultant Pulmonologist, KMC Hospital, Mangalore, said, “The definition of obesity includes a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above 30 which serves as an essential factor for developing OSA. Fat tissue accumulation in respiratory tract areas causes airway narrowing that produces sleep-time breathing obstruction. Airway blockages occur because of the narrowing effect, resulting in complete or partial apnea events. When an obstruction blocks the airway the body activates a stress response that hastens heart rate due to insufficient oxygen. Long-term exposure to this heart strain results in high blood pressure heart failure and persistent sleep problems.”

The physical condition of OSA generates its independent risk factors for obesity. The hormones leptin and ghrelin which control appetite and metabolism become unbalanced when people do not get enough sleep or their sleep quality suffers. Without restorative sleep, the body will experience increased hunger, leading to overeating and weight accumulation. The symptoms of OSA become worse because of this effect which continues to produce a never-ending cycle.

Symptoms and Risk Factors

People with OSA typically experience loud snoring as well as daytime drowsiness headaches and increased irritability. People who have OSA may not display their symptoms to others. OSA sufferers sometimes show no signs of noisy breathing or daytime sleepiness so their condition may go undetected. People with OSA risk factors include those who have a BMI over 35, hypertension, a neck size above 17 inches for men or 16 inches for women, and being male. OSA risk increases with age most notably affecting obese or overweight individuals.

Diagnosing and Managing

A sleep study called polysomnography diagnoses OSA in healthcare settings as well as at-home facilities when symptoms are obvious. Patients who receive treatment must follow weight loss plans combined with dietary changes and exercise routines. Smokers can potentially experience symptom improvement from quitting their habit and patients should avoid alcohol along with caffeine and sedatives before resting.

The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices provide an effective solution for people with moderate to severe OSA. Patients who wear the mask for sleep will experience improved sleep quality and lower health risks because these machines maintain an open airway through continuous airflow delivery.

Prevention and Lifestyle Changes

The key to preventing OSA starts with successful management of body weight. A healthy weight maintains sufficient control over fat deposits that block the airways. The airways stay open better when people choose to sleep on their left side instead of back sleeping. Proper sleep quality and overall health benefits from using breathing exercises together with lowering screen exposure before bed and creating a healthy sleep environment. Proper awareness together with medical intervention and lifestyle changes enables individuals to break the cycle of obesity and OSA which leads to better health control and a safer and more restful life.

 Obesity and belly fat are associated with several chronic and acute health problems. However, as per experts, sleep apnoea is a lesser known side effect of an extended waistline.  Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare