There are several reasons why people may consider bariatric surgery for weight loss. There are cosmetic and self-image issues as well as very real health problems. Heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and a host of other issues make gastric sleeve surgery a must for both quality and length of life.
Being overweight may also affect how well you sleep. Sleep apnea is a condition that affects up to 18 million adults in this country alone. The numbers could even be higher because sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Sufferers may just chalk it up to snoring.
Sleep Apnea Side Effects
However, Sleep Apnea is more than “just snoring” and can affect people of any age, gender, or weight. Essentially, breathing becomes very slight or just stops completely during the night. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, this stoppage can last for up to 10 seconds.
That sleep disruption can happen dozens of times during the night – even hundreds of times in severe cases. Snoring is an obvious symptom, but other short-term signs include anxiety, sore throat, and continually waking up during sleep gasping for air. Irritability, agitation, and bouts of fatigue may also happen during the day due to a lack of sleep.
What is Sleep Apnea?
The condition occurs when the soft tissue found at the back of the mouth or throat collapses during sleep. This usually happens when the person is sleeping on their back. When this occurs, positive airway pressure is blocked off, and breathing stops.
There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and mixed sleep apnea. The most common form is OSA – this is when a blockage of the airway leads to interrupted breathing during sleep. This is caused by weight gain, sleeping position, and smoking or alcohol consumption.
The second form, mixed sleep apnea, is when the brain temporarily stops sending signals that control breathing during the night. This could speed up, slow down, or just stop breathing altogether. CSA is relatively rare and can be caused by Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, or heart or kidney failure.
Mixed Sleep Apnea is a combination of the two conditions. The best way to get a correct sleep apnea diagnosis to visit a sleep specialist and submit to overnight testing. A polysomnogram will measure rapid eye movement, breathing, heart rate, and more to determine sleep fitness.
Does Gastric Sleeve Cure Sleep Apnea?
Although sleep apnea can affect anyone, there are steps you can take to lessen the effects or even completely treat the condition. If you can train yourself to sleep on your side instead of your back, that can alleviate much of the stress on the air passages.
There are also medical devices to help keep airways open or even help with positive airflow, such as a CPAP machine. These are the familiar machines you might see where patients wear a mask attached to a hose for continuous airway pressure. There are also oral devices that can be used in mild cases of sleep apnea.
However, these steps just allow you to deal with sleep apnea, not cure it. So you are probably asking, does gastric sleeve cure sleep apnea? Studies have shown that a gastric sleeve procedure is the most effective way of dealing with the condition. This and other bariatric surgeries have shown to cause remission of sleep apnea in 80-85 percent of patients.
Work With Gastric Sleeve Experts
Sleep apnea can affect anyone, regardless of age, weight, or gender. It is most common in those that are obese and morbidly obese. If you’re interested in losing up to 80 percent of your excess weight to help combat sleep apnea, please reach out to WeightWise.
Our program works on several levels. An initial consultation determines if a candidate is ready for the surgery. Once accepted, our patients meet with a dietitian and exercise physiologist to outline eating and workout plans. Finally, every client is assigned a patient advocate to answer questions, lend an ear, and help in any way they can.
To learn more about our bariatric surgery program, watch our FREE online seminar. From there, schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons – the first step on your way to a healthier, longer life… and uninterrupted sleep! We look forward to hearing from you.