In recent years, a close relationship has been found between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. Obesity is both a cause and a consequence of sleep apnea. Among patients who consulted a doctor about breathing disorders during sleep, two-thirds are obese 2-3 degrees.
Look at the mechanism by which sleep apnea develops in obesity.
There is a relationship between the degree of obesity and the severity of respiratory disorders during sleep. Of great importance in this case are deposits of fat in the pharynx and an increase in the circumference of the neck. The likelihood of developing obstructive sleep apnea increases with age and the degree of obesity. Most often, the disease occurs in middle-aged men with overweight.
All patients with sleep apnea are conditionally divided into 2 groups. The first group is patients who have developed early obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. They are marked by severe obesity and breathing disorders during sleep, which lead to cardiovascular disorders. The second group includes patients in whom breathing disorders during sleep occurred at a later age. These individuals have moderate obesity, milder respiratory distress, and mild clinical symptoms.
People with sleep apnea usually gain weight after they develop symptoms of sleep apnea. This is due to oxygen starvation and the absence (or decrease in duration) of deep stages of sleep. Such pathological mechanisms cause suppression of the production of growth hormone involved in the metabolism of fat in the body of an adult.
In patients with obstructive sleep apnea, the degree of obesity is constantly increasing, and any efforts to reduce weight almost do not bring results. Fat deposits in the neck lead to further narrowing of the airways and progression of the disease. In turn, aggravation of oxygen starvation and lack of sleep further inhibit the production of growth hormone. A vicious circle is created, which can be broken only by eliminating severe breathing disorders during sleep.
Patients with sleep apnea who are rapidly gaining weight are recommended to undergo CPAP therapy. It is an effective method in the fight against obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, its consequences and manifestations, including overweight.