[이데일리 이순용 기자] Sleep apnea is a symptom caused by the interruption of breathing during sleep, and is generally associated with obesity, triglyceride, diabetes, and the like. Since these metabolic diseases are closely related to diet, sleep apnea patients may have little effect even if they try diet.
However, the reason why patients with sleep apnea have less diet effect cannot be explained simply by the relationship with metabolic disease. It is known that apnea patients have reduced blood oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide levels due to the cessation of breathing during sleep. Since this phenomenon affects biological functions such as heartbeat using respiratory muscles, it also affects the effect of diet.
According to the American Sleep Association, 45% of obese adults have symptoms of sleep apnea. In patients with sleep apnea, the quality of sleep decreases, causing sleep deprivation, increasing appetite hormones and reducing appetite suppressing hormones. According to the research team of Dr. Chelsea Rochelib, an American sleep medicine expert, patients with sleep apnea increased ghrelin, an appetite hormone, decreased insulin sensitivity (a risk factor for diabetes), and decreased leptin, an appetite suppressant hormone. Ultimately, sleep apnea causes obesity and worsens it.
Regarding this, Han Jin-gyu, director of the Seoul Sleep Center, said, “Sleep apnea promotes secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, which increases stress and makes it difficult to lose weight. In addition, as oxygen is not able to burn fat, even if you starve, you gain weight, and when you gain weight, your breathing narrows and apnea worsens, repeating the vicious cycle. If you are an obese patient due to sleep apnea, you can see a diet effect if you are treated with a positive airway pressure device,” he emphasized.
In fact, according to Dr. Kazaste’s team from the American Sleep Association, “31 obese male sleep apnea patients were treated with a positive airway pressure device for 2 years, and after 6 months, they lost an average of 13.5% of their weight.” In addition, it was effective in improving cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
Dr. Han said, “Sleep is the best helper for dieting.” It will be more effective when combined with exercise or diet.”
Currently, polysomnography and positive airway pressure treatment due to sleep apnea can be covered by health insurance. The country is also aware of the dangers of sleep apnea and the effectiveness of positive airway pressure therapy as a treatment method for sleep apnea. If sleep apnea is suspected, it is helpful to first check whether health insurance is applied through pre-treatment and treat it.
