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Apnea and obesity: vicious cycle of risk (P2)

Apnea and obesity: vicious cycle of risk (P2)

Edited by: TOP DOCTORS® at 10/10/2023

Apnea predisposes to weight gain. The mechanisms associated to this are multifactorial, are related to changes in lifestyle. Learning how to combine foods and amounts to be eaten makes changes in eating habits adopted as a change in lifestyle rather than on a temporary basis.

obesity Dra.. Isabel Martínez del Río Requejo 

An issue that also concerns nutritionists is that if you do not sleep well you gain weight or if you are overweight you do not sleep well.

Sleep apnea facilitates weight gain and makes it difficult to lose weight. The mechanism of the effect of obesity on apnea is still not entirely clear.. It is thought to be related to adipose tissue that changes the anatomy of the airway in a certain way.

Changes in obesity at the central level may also be involved, such as leptin, which has an increase in obesity and a significant effect on regulation of swallowing reflex and control of respiration.

Apnea also predisposes to weight gain. The mechanisms associated with this are multifactorial, are related to changes in lifestyle, as not having a restful sleep the person will feel more tired, which causes a decrease in their physical activity. Because of drowsiness it will present several problems like lack of concentration and anxiety, which causes a greater consumption of foods, which are generally sugars and fats.

Other types of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, occur in deep sleep, which when reduced leads to depression, anxiety and decreased activities and increased food consumption.

Weight loss will always be part of the treatment

Treatment for apnea is related to its cause, however weight loss in the obese patient will always be part of the treatment.

Treatment for apnea lowers insulin resistance, normalizes hormone systems and neurotransmitters, which decreases anxiety for eating and, consequently, facilitates weight loss.

Losing weight does not eliminate apnea, but reduces its intensity and can cause the pressure used in the cpap (apparatus used for the treatment of apnea) to be reduced for treatment.

The balanced diet, calculating the insulin resistance of the patient, will be fundamental to have a positive result in the treatment. Learning how to combine foods and amounts to be eaten makes changes in eating habits adopted as a change in lifestyle rather than on a temporary basis.

Psychology in Cuajimalpa de Morelos