Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders. This sleep disorder occurs when a person’s airway is repeatedly blocked during sleep. The blocked airway causes problems with the person getting the right amount of oxygen into their body. Some signs and symptoms that indicate you could have sleep apnea include excessive daytime fatigue, gasping for breath during sleep, trouble concentrating, morning headaches, and more.
This sleep disorder can be severe because it can go hand-in-hand with other health issues. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to additional serious health concerns. Some of these concerns include high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems, and more. People who experience sleep apnea can be more likely to have these health issues, and sometimes these health issues can make someone more likely to experience sleep apnea. One example of this is being overweight. People who carry more weight are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea.
Getting the proper amount of sleep is vital to the health and wellness of our bodies, so sleep disorders like sleep apnea are dangerous if left untreated. Below, you can learn more about how weight gain and sleep apnea are related as well as how to treat sleep apnea. The more knowledge you have about sleep disorders and health concerns like sleep apnea, the better you can take care of your overall health and wellness. Learn more below.
Weight Gain and Sleep Apnea
If someone experiences weight gain, are they more likely to get sleep apnea? The short answer is yes. However, just because someone gains weight does not mean they will get sleep apnea. Sleep apnea and obesity are related conditions for a few different reasons. Let’s check them out.
Being overweight results in a higher risk of getting sleep apnea because carrying extra weight can lead to breathing troubles. Fat deposits can contribute to blocking the airway during sleep, causing sleep apnea. On the other hand, sleep apnea can also lead to weight gain. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder, but it affects all areas of life because sleep is essential to health. A person who develops sleep apnea and doesn’t treat it can begin to gain weight because they aren’t getting the proper amount of sleep that their body needs. These two health issues are not always related, but they can be, so this connection is something to watch out for.
If you have recently gained weight and you are having sleep problems, it could be that you have developed sleep apnea. However, you should consult a doctor to be sure. If you think you are experiencing some of the symptoms of sleep apnea, you should set up a doctor’s appointment sooner rather than later.
Treating Sleep Apnea
Using a CPAP machine is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP machine can regulate your breathing and prevent your airway from closing during sleep. A CPAP machine consists of air filters, a humidifier, tubing, and a CPAP mask. This machine brings air in from the room and pressurizes it. Then, it delivers the air to you via the tubing and the CPAP mask. The specific air pressure prevents your airway from closing, which treats sleep apnea.
While CPAP therapy is a common way to treat sleep apnea, using a CPAP machine does require regular maintenance. For example, a CPAP machine can quickly collect germs and bacteria from everyday use, and it is essential that you clean your machine regularly so that you do not get sick from a dirty CPAP machine.
There are several options when it comes to cleaning your CPAP machine. You can choose to wash your CPAP machine with soap and water, or you can use a CPAP cleaning device. A CPAP cleaning device like VirtuCLEAN can be an easier option because it requires a lot less time and effort on your part. To use the VirtuCLEAN device, you simply attached the VirtuCLEAN cleaner to your CPAP machine, and you turn it on. Then, the cleaning device does all the work of cleaning your CPAP machine for you in just 30 minutes. VirtuCLEAN uses ozone to kill 99.9% of the germs and bacteria in your CPAP machine.
Do you have sleep apnea? While sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder, it can be treated through the use of a CPAP machine. Using a CPAP machine can be an effective way to treat sleep apnea, but you must be sure your CPAP machine stays clean. If you are in need of a CPAP cleaning device, you can click here.