This may come as a surprise to someone dealing with a sleep disorder called sleep apnea for the first time. Though the ailment belongs to the broad category of ‘sleep disorders’ its origin is elsewhere; with being overweight! If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, chances are that the type is obstructive sleep apnea, the most common variety. It is also likely that you snore and that you are overweight, as the link between sleep apnea and weight gain begins right here.Sleep apnea and weight gain: back to basicsSleep apnea is one of the worst types of sleep disorders that is usually fallout of neglected snoring – a condition affecting mostly people who are obese. Marked by recurrent breathlessness during sleep, obstructive sleep apnea happens when there is a complete collapse and blockage of the upper respiratory tract. Weight gain is also one of the most prominent symptoms of sleep apnea. This could also be called the second point of link between sleep apnea and weight gain. The third aspect of this association can be traced to the fact that the repeated sleep disturbance that the condition results in does not allow the victim to enter the deep phase of sleep. This in turn affects appetite adversely and the result in weight gain. Sleep apnea also interferes with the normal functioning of two appetite-related hormones Grehlin and Leptin resulting in the individual gaining weight. Understanding of this association between sleep apnea and weight gain leads us to another important aspect of management of the condition – sleep apnea and weight loss. Losing weight is perhaps the first advice any doctor treating obstructive sleep apnea would give you considering that without reducing body fat, no treatment can yield desired results.Deviated septum and sleep apnea: what you should knowOf all the reasons why people snore, septal deviation is perhaps most common. Deviated septum is an anatomical defect that narrows one nostril more than the other. This results in loud and persistent snoring as the victim is compelled to breathe through the mouth, instead of the nose. Since instances of septal deviation are very common, instances of deviated septum and sleep apnea also become a frequently-encountered condition in the doctors’ chamber. Diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is done with the help of sleep apnea test, medically known as polysomnogrtam examination. This test can be done both at home as well as at a sleep clinic. Essentially, sleep apnea test helps in locating site of obstruction as well as degree of severity of the condition.Sleep apnea and weight gain: treatment processTreatment of the condition consists of taking a two-prong approach: weight loss and rectification of septal deviation. The modality depends on the seriousness of the condition. For immediate relief from snoring, doctors usually recommend using sleep apnea pillows, which ensure proper alignment of the head, neck, shoulders and spine. Better alignment during sleep keeps the nasal passage as clear as possible for normal breathing.However if the condition is severe, doctors rely on somnoplasty surgery – a FDA-approved surgical intervention that is performed to treat habitual snoring as well as rectify deviated septum. Somnoplasty surgery can successfully remove and repair the extra tissues blocking the airway as well as reposition the deviated septum to enable the patient to use the nose for breathing once more.

Author Bio:

Marc MacDonald is an independent researcher who has spent considerable time and effort in studying and collating information about health-related concerns, specifically focused on sleep and nutrition.He has written innumerable research reports on particular subjects like somnoplasty, sleep apnea test, becoming vegan, eating raw food, deviated nasal septum surgery, snoring remedies, and good night sleep techniques.