Researchers Find Sleep Apnea Keeps Obese Persons Awake

Chronic obstructive sleep apnea -- a condition where people stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep -- is keeping many obese people awake, according to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine.

Obesity in the upper body, especially in the neck, can narrow the airways leading to the lungs, resulting in heavy snoring, pauses in breathing and frequent interruptions of sleep, the researchers said.

"Most of our overweight patients say they snore excessively and don't sleep well," said Dr. Peter Jones, associate professor of medicine at Baylor and medical director of weight management at Methodist Wellness Services at Methodist Healthcare Systems.

Patients participating in the Methodist weight management programs report that after losing weight, their sleep improves.

"Losing weight can be an important part of treatment for patients who have sleep apnea," said Dr. Max Hirshkowitz, associate professor of psychiatry and director of the Baylor Sleep Disorders Center at the Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

"Even a 10 percent weight loss can reduce the number of times most patients stop breathing during the night," Hirshkowitz said.

Patients with sleep apnea often feel sleepy during the day and their concentration and performance suffer. Depression, irritability, sexual dysfunction, learning and memory difficulties, and falling asleep while at work, on the phone or driving are other symptoms of sleep apnea.

Patients with sleep apnea who are untreated are three times as likely to have automobile accidents as the general public, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Other sources: Baylor College of Medicine