Speaking of four pillars of treatment of obesity, adequate good quality sleep has an extremely important role in treatment of obesity and excess weight. Patients with
sleep disorders (e.g., too little or too much sleep) or altered sleep patterns or daylight exposure are at much higher risk of weight gain and sub-optimal results from any attempts at losing weight or maintaining weight loss.
How much sleep is necessary for optimal health and to prevent weight gain?
7-9 hours per night of uninterrupted, good quality sleep is recommended to prevent weight gain.
Adverse health effects of inadequate sleep :
Altered sleep and eating patterns may promote obesity by unhealthy effects on body composition making it harder to lose weight if not optimised and treated.
In addition, poor sleep increases chances of having elevated blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels as well as increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) :
In addition, obese patients are much more likely to have Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) . It is paramount to diagnose and treat OSA as it can further increase the risk of numerous medical issues.
OSA typically is suspected in individuals with 1 or more of following symptoms:
- Snoring (usually loudly)
- Headaches
- Daytime sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Restless sleep
- Sudden waking up with choking or gasping for breath
- Forgetfulness
- Motor vehicle accidents (a potential. complication of sleep disorders)
- Mood fluctuations
- Low libido
- Individuals with neck circumference as: Men > 17 inches; Women > 16 inches
- Jaw abnormalities,
- Cardiopulmonary abnormalities like leg swelling, heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure
How to confirm diagnosis of OSA?
Your physician may order additional testing with In-lab overnight sleep studies or home sleep test.
Adverse Consequences of Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Worsening obesity
- Congestive heart failure
- Atrial fibrillation
- Nocturnal dysrhythmias
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Pulmonary hypertension
Treatment of OSA
- Maintaining healthy weight: The most important factor in treatment of OSA is treating obesity/ excess weight.
- Behavior therapy to improve sleep patterns.
- Oral appliances like mandibular reposition devices or tongue retaining devices can be used
- Nasal expiratory positive airway
- Continuous positive airway pressure
- Adaptive servo-ventilation
- Surgery
o Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty
o Radiofrequency ablation
o Palatal implants
o Electrical stimulation of upper airway muscles
o Skeletal surgery procedures
At AllWell Clinic, we work diligently to identify any sleep problems and to treat sleep disorders and OSA as necessary, by making appropriate referrals to sleep specialist physician. In addition, by working on optimising other important factors in weight loss like Nutrition, Physical activity, switching any medications that could be contributing to weight gain, we help patients with OSA make significant improvements. We accomplish all of this under the expert guidance of Obesity Medicine Board certified physician. We welcome you to reach out of us if we can be of any help with any weight and metabolic issues!