Has your partner ever said that you snore too much or too loudly or that you stop breathing during the night?
Many obese patients tell me they have a hard time sleeping. Often, they are surprised when I explain they may have a medical condition called sleep apnea, a chronic disease that commonly affects very overweight people.
People with thick necks are particularly prone to this serious health risk, specifically men with a neck circumference of 17 inches or greater.
Sleep apnea sufferers never get a good night’s sleep, even if they use a C-Pap, a cumbersome but effective device to help regulate breathing during the night.
You may have heard about a tragic commuter train accident that happened in New Jersey a few years ago. The engineer of the train was obese and it was suggested that he may have fallen asleep while driving the train. Not surprisingly, when you are exhausted from poor sleep, your body may need to sleep during the day, a dangerous side effect for you and others, if you are operating a car or other machinery.
Bariatric weight loss surgery has been particularly helpful in mitigating sleep apnea and putting it into permanent remission. In addition, losing excess weight can help minimize or eliminate sleep disorder symptoms and a plethora of other serious health risks.
There are few things more pivotal to a high quality of life than a good night’s sleep. If you suspect you may be suffering from sleep apnea, see your doctor to schedule a sleep study and obtain a diagnosis. Post a comment about it below.