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Plaza Dental Group: 1089 Jordan Creek Pkwy #100, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Sleep Apnea and Weight Gain: Facts That You Need to Know


We all know that quality sleep is necessary for good health. A good night’s rest keeps your hormones in check and maintains your body’s overall health and function. When a problem like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) gets in the way, it can harm your body in many ways. Sleep apnea produces a variety of hormonal responses that can raise your risk of gaining weight, worsening the primary OSA, and more. In addition, it’s also understood that obesity can trigger sleep apnea. Many researches are discovering a link between sleep apnea and weight gain.

Does Sleep Apnea Cause Weight Gain?

There are 18 million adults in the US living with sleep apnea, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Moreover, it’s estimated that about 70% of adult OSA patients are overweight or obese. The close link between the two is the outcome of side effects of both disorders that feed into one another, including some endocrinological issues.

While your body weight is not the only reason why you may develop sleep apnea, but being obese puts you at a higher considerable risk for developing obstructive sleep apnea(OSA). Carrying additional weight can cause troubled breathing during sleep. In contrast, someone who isn’t obese but has a non-treated sleep-breathing disorder may start gaining weight as a consequence. Unfortunately, you may find it challenging to lose weight in this situation because typical daytime fatigue due to OSA may keep you from exercising.

Link Between Your Sleep Cycle and Hunger

Exactly how sleep deprivation affects your ability to control weight has much to do with your hormones. Three significant hormonal responses that are discussed concerning weight gain and that are considered to be closely related to sleep are ghrelin, leptin, and insulin.

Ghrelin

Two critical hormones involved are ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin is a “go” hormone. It tells you to eat.  Research has discovered that when we are sleep-deprived, our bodies produce more ghrelin.

Leptin

It is a “stop” hormone. It informs us that you are full and that you can stop eating.  When you are sleep-deprived, you make less leptin.

Therefore, more ghrelin and less leptin produce weight gain. This can eventually result in sleep apnea, which steals away even more sleep, which can cause even more weight gain.

Insulin

It is another hormone which is affected by sleep disorders, as suggested by some studies.  When we don’t sleep properly, our cells stop or block insulin’s efforts to carry glucose into our cells. You can consider it as if lack of sleep is leading us to diabetes.

In addition to the above fact, insulin is known to promote the release of leptin, the “stop eating” hormone, so when we’re sleep deprived, and our cells are rejecting insulin, our bodies make less leptin, which means more eating, and more weight gain.

The Bottom Line

The vicious poor diet/poor sleep cycle, in short, can be transformed into the perfect circle: Eat well to sleep well, to eat and sleep well again. A good night’s sleep is likely also dependent on a healthy diet, as reported by newly published research. When we eat healthy food during the day, we get better sleep at night. The converse is also true: poor diets generates poor sleep. Proper diet, along with regular exercise, has been shown to fight epidemic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension, and also appears to promote good sleep patterns to assist in the fight.

Plaza Dental Group

Plaza Dental Group is a leading group of dentists in Des Moines, IA that provides high-quality dentistry in a comfortable and stress-free environment. We have a team of caring and highly-skilled professionals that uses state-of-the-art technology and delivers excellent service to the patients. Request an appointment today!

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I’ve received excellent, courteous care. Very professional staff who function well as a team. If never had a more pleasant experience at a dental office. Lacey is excellent. I can highly recommend them.
Loren Fligg
Loren Fligg
This dental office is great! Everyone is comforting and easy to talk with! My hygienist was super! My next visit will be at the new location in urbandale, Iowa!!
Judd Bristow
Judd Bristow
Dr. Ryan Langel has given me a new lease on life with the amazing transformation he has made on my teeth. He really is a magician and such a perfectionist. My top teeth were discolored and weak from years of use. Being older, I doubted if I could ever have strong, white teeth and a vibrant smile again. I now have a very beautiful smile and am so grateful to Dr. Langel and his stuff. And the process was painless and quick. Thank you, Plaza Dentistry.read more
Robert Thomson
Robert Thomson
I have been going to Dr. Dietrich and Talia my hygenist for a few years now and I feel so comfortable with them. Great care and service. I highly recommend them. Thank you. Maria T P
MT Pa
MT Pa
Dr Odland is the best dentist in iowa. Susie has really helped me with my dental issues. She is great and caring. Dr Langel is doing a great job just like dr odland.
Darlene Raedeker
Darlene Raedeker
Dr Dietrich and Karly are a wonderful team!! Prompt..professional and do amazing work!! They made me so happy with my temps..cant wait to see my permanent teeth!!Had my last appointment today..if you are looking for a cosmetic dentist..look no further!! Dr Dietrick is the best!! Professional and meticulous yet fun and personable..I love my veneers! She changed my smile and my life!! If you are thinking about getting any work done go get a free consultation!! You won't regret it☺️read more
Valerie Williams
Valerie Williams
Everyone I've dealt in the office are friendly, knowledgeable, and they explained everything very well. The atmosphere was very relaxed. Definitely recommend!
Allie Whitver
Allie Whitver
Came in for my regular cleaning and X-rays and was so happy to see Bekka again! She brightened up my smile when I asked about my coffee stains and was just as happy as I was💓. I love Plaza Dental and the dentists I’ve had exam and work on my teeth are just as caring, kind and helpful. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.read more
Kathy Marek
Kathy Marek
I am always happy to see my regular Hygienist, Talia and Dentist, Dr.Dietrich. Talia is my most favorite person in Plaza dental group👍💕
Lulu
Lulu
I have had three different hygienists at this office and they were all wonderful! My doctor left and now I am seeing Dr. Jones and he seems quite knowledgeable. I find him super nice!
Betty Baum-Ferree
Betty Baum-Ferree

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1089 Jordan Creek Parkway, Suite 100, West Des Moines, IA 50266

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