Can Sleep Apnea Lead to Weight Gain?

Our bodies need an average of seven-and-a-half hours of sleep a night. When you are unable to get enough sleep, your body’s hormone production can become impaired. You produce less leptin, or the hormone that lets you know when you are full, and it produces more ghrelin, which stimulates your appetite. When you are hungry and unable to get full, you simply eat more. Over time, this will lead to weight gain.

 

When you have sleep apnea, you may think you are getting enough sleep, but your body is waking every time your breathing is obstructed. For some with mild apnea, this may only happen a few times a night. If you suffer from more sever apnea, you could be waking up hundreds of times a night. This can lead to serious sleep deprivation within a short period of time and ultimately lead to weight gain.

 

The first step is to get diagnosed properly. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, your next step is to get treated. Treatment may not be in the form of a weight loss pill, but it can restore healthy sleep patterns so that your hormones and metabolism are in better balance. As you catch up on sleep, you may even notice an increase in your energy level, which leads to healthier exercise habits. Call us today to learn more about sleep apnea solutions that can help you get a better night’s sleep or to schedule your consultation.