A lot of UK citizens are at risk of obesity. This assertion is valid as the numbers of obese individuals continue to grow. Sadly, there seems little that can be done to keep this at bay.
In recent years, bariatric surgery became the channel to lose weight faster. However, it is important to point out that before the surgical operation, these individuals might have fallen prey to other ailments. It might interest you to know that hundreds of obese individuals come over to our clinic for weight loss surgery. Out of this lot, about 40% undergo the surgery in order to fight off obesity-related diseases.
As the number of obese individuals continues to grow, it is clear that some of these patients are not really after weight loss. Rather, they are seeking out solutions to comorbidities such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). We’ll be looking at the inter-relation between this disease and bariatric surgery.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Researches have it that obesity is a medical condition that brings about other issues in a patient’s life. For instance, the rising profile of diseases caused by obesity is a clue to this assertion. Out of this lot, the Type 2 diabetes and the Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) top the list. The latter (OSA) is deadly and can trigger serious issues in the body if not dealt with on time. So what really is OSA?
Let’s illustrate it this way: have you been going to bed and waking up at midnight? If so, have you found it hard to breathe during sleep? You might have been hearing of deaths after people go to sleep. That is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in motion! Generally, this is a medical problem that causes hitches in breath during sleep. There is the likelihood that an obese individual can pass away during sleep; especially if he has this disease.
In simpler terms, OSA is a serious condition of the respiratory tract which reduces the frequency of breath during sleep. This is very common with obese individuals. It also has the tendency of triggering other diseases such as diabetes and stroke. The logic here is that obese people tend to have thicker tissues in their throats. Because of this, the throat has more items in there. Hence, an obese individual should not expect free breathing as someone that’s not. It is this disease that forces many to go for bariatric surgery.
The major risk that comes with this disease is the inability to discover it on time. While an obese individual sleeps, he might not comprehend how OSA. It takes a third party to find this out. However, a patient can be in the know but it takes extra care to solve this. His life is at risk if steps are not taken to check the disease. It is important to note that Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) triggers obesity and can cause fatal damages in the body. It is also one of the most serious sleep disorders. In the light of this, can the condition be cured? Researches show that weight loss surgery is of the ways to cure this sleep disorder. But before we look at the possibility of this, let us consider other aspects to OSA.
Different Cycles to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
It is not a farce that you might not be aware of the presence of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Except you are mentally alert, you will find it hard to discover this condition. There are actually different episodes that take place while you sleep. Most times, the sleep is punctured with total cessation of breath. At other times, you will experience slow breathing. These are symptoms of OSA. So how does this really work?
First, when you get into bed to take a nap or catch some sleep, you’re relatively unaware of other happenings. While you sleep, the airways are narrowed or closed. This is the case when you breathe during sleep. Medical claims have it that oxygen keeps the body running. Carbon dioxide on its part is removed through breathing. If you have OSA, there is every tendency that you will have a higher concentration of carbon dioxide than oxygen. With insufficient breathe during sleep, there will be a decrease in the concentration in the blood. Instead, the level of carbon dioxide will be on the increase.
Suffice to say that get intimated with this condition by reference. It can come from a family member that stays in the same room with you. Usually, individuals suffering from OSA resort to loud snores during sleep. When a third party refers this to you, it is expedient to start off diagnosis as you might be a potential OSA carrier.
During sleep, you’re to pass through two (2) stages. The first is the “apnea episodes” which entails the total cessation of breathing. The other is “hypopnea” which involves slow breathing during sleep. When sleeping, your breath causes the upper airways to narrow and close. When your breath ceases or becomes slow, signals are sent to the brain. The brain, in turn, triggers you to get awake. Studies suggest that obese individuals encounter about 25 episodes of brief awakenings throughout the night.
Watch out for these Symptoms
There are certain clues that you’re suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). If you are intimated with this, it is important to start off the sleep study test called “Polysomnography”. This helps you find solutions to the condition in real-time.
- Snoring: Loud snores are major indicators that you have OSA. Sometimes, this is made known to you by your partner or roommate. Such snoring can interrupt your partner’s sleep. When intolerable, he gets the inclination to intimate you about it. Take it in good faith and start off tests and recovery phases.
- Interrupted Breath: Breath seizure is not only peculiar to asthmatic patients. OSA is a major cause of seized breath. Hence, a total cessation of slow breathing is a sign that you are a candidate of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
- A Sore Throat: You can wake you with a sore or dry throat. This symptom should not be neglected as it is a clear indication that hallmarks the presence of OSA.
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: It is important to note that interruptions in your midnight sleep can trigger daytime sleepiness. You might not be able to meet up with the 7-hours per day sleep. Hence, the body feels inclined to catch some nap during the daytime. Excessive daytime sleepiness is another symptom to watch out for. Also, this goes hand-in-hand with restlessness/difficult concentration during the day.
- Waking up Panting: This is another symptom that heralds Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Sometimes, obese individuals discover themselves panting after an interrupted sleep. Also, there is the likelihood of breaking out in sweat during sleep and after waking up. The incidence of choking and gasping for water is also present in this symptom.
- Depression: Frustration sets in and you get irritated over trivial matters. Watch out for this as the cause is not far away from OSA. Similar to this is mood swings during the day.
- Morning Headache: There is also the likelihood of morning headaches after waking up in the morning. An obese individual also has to take things easy as high blood pressure can set in.
- Insomnia: Staying awake all night is another sign of OSA. When you find it hard catching some rest at night, it is an inclination that you’re suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Risks Factors
The disease does not come by a mere wish. There are certain factors that trigger Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). We’ll be looking at some of these.
- Narrow Airways: The airways vary from individuals. While some persons spot narrow airways, others don’t. One of the leading predictors to the disease is the presence of narrow airways in your body system. Note that this can be as a result of genetic conditions.
- Neckline Circumference: Some individuals have slimmer neckline than others. Normally, a male with a neckline circumference of 17’’ is at risk of contracting the disease. Also, females with a neckline circumference of 15’’ can contract the disease.
- Nasal Congestion: The risk of OSA is likely in people with nasal congestions.
- Hypertension/Diabetes: If you already suffer from diabetes or arterial hypertension, you’re at risk of having OSA. The disease is more common in individuals with high blood pressure.
- Obesity: There is a close relationship between overweight and the disease. In some climes, obesity is fingered as the leading cause of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
- Gender: The disease is common in men than women. Though women can have it, it is twice the case in men.
Apart from these, the disease can result in different complications. First, the blood pressure of the pulmonary circulation system increases. Hence, pulmonary hypertension is one of the complications that emanate from the disease. Second, stroke, glaucoma, and heart failure are some of the complications related to OSA.
The Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Bariatric Surgery
The proportional relationship of this disease with obesity is very clear. Obesity rates are on the steady increase worldwide. Also, there are chances that the disease is present in an obese individual with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above. Hence, as the degree of an individual’s obesity increases, the relationship between the two deepens. There is also the likelihood that most obese individuals resort to weight loss surgery because they recognize the procedure as a faster method of curing the disease.
It has been established that when patients lose weight after bariatric surgery, the fatty tissue blocking the upper airways decreases. This has the tendency of reducing the frictions that come with OSA. On the other hand, the disease and weight loss surgery work together. Apart from triggering the disease, bariatric surgery is affected by the Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The simple interpretation is that the continuous presence of OSA triggers weight gain. In the light of this, solutions have been sought. While traditional methods are still relevant, the long-term plan is a turnoff. Hence, the last resort is bariatric surgery which is considered faster than the former.
Alternative Treatment for the Disease
There are various channels that are in place to help in the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. There is the implantation/placement of polyester bars on the soft palate. Also, surgical methods such as the opening of the neck and surgical removal of tissues from the pharynx and mouth are applicable.
The most prevalent is the use of the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. The machine features a plastic cover that is placed in the mouth or nose (or both). This is applicable at the time a patient goes to sleep. The device helps in applying pressure to air which in turn, opens the airway. The device also holds the throat open while you sleep. However, it has been faulted because of the few uses by patients. In the light of this, the focus shifts to the bariatric surgery.
The Efficiency of Bariatric Surgery’s Cure for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
It is a truism that positive improvements are recorded in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) when the CPAP machine and other medical treatments are in use. But they don’t actually offer a cure to the disease. These methods have not addressed the long-term success such as registering a cure.
If you’re obese and have OSA, you may consider going through the knife. Bariatric surgery ranks as the most effective treatment for the disease. What’s more? It has been established that a cure is in the offing after going through the procedure. Improvements are noticed in the first quarter after the surgery.
The overall concept is to lose weight. By shedding off extra kilos of flesh, fats in the body will be cut off. Also, excess tissue in the nose and throat will be taken off. Obese people have been going for bariatric surgery at Weight Loss Riga. The results are impressive as they not only lose weight, but also see reductions in other weight-related comorbidities such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), hypertension and diabetes.
Get Solutions for Your Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
You may be considering weight loss surgery and the best clinic to have it is Weight Loss Riga. With experienced surgeons and the right medical equipment, we offer you the best solution to your Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). As you record a dramatic weight loss, you will also be getting rid of the disease.
