How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Health
Trying to lose weight isn’t easy, and sometimes it can feel like a vicious battle. From working long hours to taking care of your family, it’s hard to find the time to take care of yourself when you have a million things to do.
The International Journal of Obesity found that sleep problems play a role in significant weight gain. It’s a serious challenge for sleep apnea patients because it affects your ability to breathe while sleeping. On top of that, weight problems can lead to additional health issues linked to sleep apnea, like cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
The Power of Weight Loss
Regular exercise and healthy eating can be an effective, long-term treatment for those who are overweight or obese and suffer from sleep apnea. In fact, considerable weight loss has been shown to improve sleep apnea symptoms by up to 58 percent.
Making certain lifestyle changes is essential in tackling sleep apnea symptoms and getting your health back on track. Not to mention, losing just 10 percent of your body weight can reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Easy & Enjoyable Exercises
Regular exercise is a fundamental component of weight loss. It has the ability to increase your energy, reduce your sleep apnea symptoms, improve your health, and help you get a better night’s rest. There are several ways to get active without getting extreme, including:
- Discover new hiking trails to explore
- Join a fitness class at your gym
- Play basketball or kick a soccer ball around
- Sign up for a yoga or pilates class
- Walk along the beach with a friend
Change Your Diet, Change Your Life
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can be an incredibly powerful tool for losing weight when combined with exercise. Researchers found that the Mediterranean diet can promote health, improve sleep apnea symptoms, and prevent chronic disease. The main ingredients include:
- Daily consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats
- Weekly intake of fish, poultry, beans, and eggs
- Moderate portions of daily products
- Limited intake of red meat
Visit Argyle Dental Sleep and TMJ
Your health is important to us. That’s why Dr. Argyle and our outstanding team will make it a priority to help you live a healthier, more energized lifestyle. We also offer a variety of treatments to help improve your night’s rest, including oral appliance therapy, a custom-fitted nightguard to aid in the prevention of sleep apnea.
To schedule your appointment, call our Syracuse office at (801) 416-3562 or fill out a contact form and we’ll get back to you.