How Weight Affects Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep apnea is a condition that can interfere with your ability to achieve restful sleep. Sleep apnea is associated with periodic interruptionssleep apnea in breathing throughout the night, which can leave you feeling tired and unrested in the morning. Here at our office in Bradenton, FL, Dr. Jeremy McConnell can treat your sleep apnea and identify the factors contributing to it.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition associated with brief pauses in breathing while sleeping due to an obstructed airway. One way a person’s airway can become obstructed while sleeping is if the tongue rolls back and partially blocks the air from traveling through.

Sleep apnea is associated with several symptoms, in addition to snoring. For instance, you could have sleep apnea if you regularly feel unrested upon waking and are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • – Interrupted breathing while sleeping
  • – Making choking or gasping sounds when sleeping
  • – Snoring throughout the night
  • – Feeling unrested upon waking
  • – Feeling sleepy or fatigued during the day
  • – Feeling irritable throughout the day
  • – Experiencing difficulty concentrating or remembering things
  • – Headaches upon waking

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Several factors are associated with an increased risk of developing sleep apnea. For example, men or more susceptible to developing sleep apnea than women. Being affected by obesity, hypertension, being middle-aged, and having a family history of sleep apnea are risk factors for sleep apnea.

Being affected by obesity is one of the biggest risk factors for developing sleep apnea. One reason for this is that excess fat in the neck area can contribute to obstructed breathing, one of the common symptoms of sleep apnea. A person with obesity that loses weight tend to experience fewer sleep apnea symptoms and are able to sleep better. During a consultation, Dr. McConnell can assess how your weight or other factors might be affecting your sleep apnea and develop a plan for achieving better sleep. Dr. McConnell is a board-certified obesity specialist and treatment of obesity is a major part of his practice.

Concerned? Give Us a Call

Sleep apnea makes it difficult to achieve quality sleep. Certain factors such as being affected by obesity can aggravate your sleep apnea. We can help you address these factors, treat the sleep apnea, and help you achieve the restful sleep you deserve. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McConnell, call our office at (941) 792-8383.