Sleep Tech Tip of the Week

by Angela Terry, RPSGT

Sleep apnea is one of the most common, yet most under-diagnosed disorders among the population. A more obvious health concern is obesity.  All types of people are battling obesity and many are failing. There could be an underlying reason that even some doctors, are not considering.  The most prevalent risk factor for sleep apnea is obesity but could sleep apnea be a risk factor for obesity? My answer is yes. Here’s why….

From my first day in the sleep lab in 2001, our patients were well over two hundred and fifty pounds, some reaching as much as six hundred. These people were experiencing all types of issues secondary to obesity so were ordered by their doctors to lose weight. The weight loss order was easier said than done. Patients were struggling to eat right while exercise was an even bigger challenge, due to their size. Even the ones that were complying with these regimens were seeing very little, if any, progress.  It wasn’t until they received their CPAP machine and treating their sleep apnea that certain people were able to start losing weight. Interesting to say the least, but why? (more…)