How Is Snoring Linked to Weight Gain?

A recent article written by a Philadelphia sleep specialist for Philly.com discussed the effect snoring can have on the body’s ability to retain a healthy weight. Though snoring is often an indicator of weight gain, particularly in the face and neck area, the opposite relationship can also occur.

When a person snores during sleep, he/she is having difficulty breathing. Interruptions to the air flow consequently diminish the quality of sleep. Thus, daytime fatigue is a common symptom of chronic snoring.

If you snore at night and feel exhausted during the day, your appetite will increase and your capacity for activity will decrease. Taken together, these effects can lead to weight gain and difficulty losing said weight.

Snoring can negatively affect health in other ways which, when combined with weight gain, can cause severe issues over time. Potential complications from snoring include:

• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions
• Diabetes

Snoring is also a sign of sleep apnea, a disorder where breathing actually stops for brief periods of time during rest. Sleep apnea can also lead to daytime fatigue, weight gain, and many of the serious conditions discussed above.

Please contact a qualified sleep specialist in your community or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today to begin exploring treatment options for snoring, sleep apnea, or other issues interrupting your ability to get a good night’s rest.

Sleep Apnea Patients at Higher Risk for Osteoporosis

People who suffer from sleep apnea are nearly three times more likely to develop brittle bones, according to a new study from researchers in Taiwan. HealthDay reports that the researchers found this correlation after analyzing medical records for patients diagnosed with sleep apnea over the course of six years. This latest information on sleep apnea demonstrates yet another dangerous complication linked to the disorder.

The nightly breathing cessation that occurs during sleep apnea deprives the body of necessary oxygen. The Taiwanese researchers linked this lack of oxygen to an increased risk of osteoporosis, especially among female and elderly patients.

However, diminished skeletal strength isn’t the only negative health consequence of lower blood oxygen levels. Other serious conditions you might be at higher risk for if you suffer from sleep apnea include:

• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Irregular heartbeat and/or breathing

If you suffer from chronic daytime fatigue, or a spouse or roommate complains about your loud snoring night after night, you might be suffering from sleep apnea. To begin restoring proper oxygen flow during sleep and lower your risk of serious complications, a trained physician can perform a sleep study and discuss treatment options.

For more information on sleep apnea, please contact a sleep doctor in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.

Is Sleep Apnea Affecting Your Job?

While investigating a train derailment that killed four passengers last year in New York City, the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the engineer who operated the train suffers from severe sleep apnea. One of the foremost symptoms of sleep apnea is daytime fatigue, which can pose a major danger to patients and bystanders alike in the workplace. 

The interruptions to breathing and alterations in blood oxygen levels caused by sleep apnea can lead to a wide variety of poor physical health effects. There are also a number of symptoms that can affect mental and emotional state.

The following sleep apnea symptoms can compromise cognitive and emotional function, which can not only cause problems in your personal life but diminish your ability to perform your duties at work:

• Trouble concentrating
• Poor short-term memory
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety

Though sleep apnea is dangerous no matter what your occupation, the disorder might be especially dangerous for employees who regularly operate heavy machinery, handle hazardous materials, or engage in other tasks with little margin for error.  Whether you snore at night, wake up feeling tired, or get drowsy during your commute or throughout the day at work, it might be time to seek medical attention.

Please contact a local sleep doctor or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today. A physician specializing in sleep disorders can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether or not you’re suffering from sleep apnea.

Does Your Child Have Sleep Apnea?

Researchers in Canada have found a strong correlation between neck size and the risk of sleep apnea in children. According to the Ottawa Citizen, boys 12 and older with above-average neck circumference are three times more likely to develop this debilitating disorder.

Though measuring neck circumference could be a potential screening tool for high-risk kids, the researchers have found that the test has its limits. For example, girls 12 and up demonstrate a weaker correlation between neck size and sleep apnea risk.

A sleep study is still the best way to determine whether or not a child is suffering from sleep apnea. If you're a parent, some signs might indicate your child is experiencing regular instances of interrupted breathing during sleep:

• Loud snoring
• Tossing and turning
• Chronic mouth breathing
• Bed wetting
• Sleep walking

The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that anywhere from one percent to four percent of children suffer from sleep apnea. If left untreated, kids are at greater risk for physical health issues like stunted growth and diabetes, as well as developmental problems like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and difficulty focusing in school.

Please contact a sleep medicine specialist in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today to begin exploring sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment options for your child.