Sleep Apnea is a common yet serious sleep disorder that, if left untreated, is linked to many health problems including an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity (irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure) and abnormalities. This condition is especially prevalent among patients who are obese or overweight. Obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome are the three main types of sleep apnea. However, the most common type of sleep apnea a person can acquire is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The Relation Between Weight and Sleep Apnea
A person with sleep apnea is unable to breathe regularly while asleep. This happens when the airway becomes blocked, preventing air from flowing into the lungs. The blockage can be caused by excess tissue in the back of the throat, enlarged tonsils, or a long uvula (the soft part at the back of your nose). It additionally causes daytime sleepiness and fatigue because it interrupts normal sleep patterns. Both the quantity and quality of sleep may suffer as a result, as may the oxygenation of key organs. Obese people frequently have thicker throat tissue that could increase their risk of developing apnea. Hence, Obesity stands as one of the prime contributing factors of developing this condition. Various reports say that about 85% of patients with sleep apnea are obese. People of all ages can be affected by sleep apnea, but those over the age of 40 and those who are overweight are at a higher risk. Nearly 25% of men and 10% of women reportedly suffer from this condition. To know more about weight loss and sleep apnea, consult with our Bariatric Surgeon in Millers Road.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea & Bariatric Surgery
The conventional treatment for sleep apnea that is most common among patients is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Patients who use CPAP therapy are required to wear a mask that is attached to an air blower that forces air through the mouth and/or nose. CPAP method is helpful to keep the upper airway open as it provides higher air pressure than that of the surrounding air. However, not everyone can find this method useful however reliable as it sounds, because it can be super uncomfortable for certain groups of people. Additionally, compliance is relatively low with CPAP treatment, less than 50 percent. In such cases, the best way to cure sleep apnea is to opt for a surgical procedure.
Bariatric surgery or Weight Loss Surgery is an effective surgical procedure to prevent and reverse the effect of severe sleep apnea among people suffering from obesity. This method results in remission in 80 to 85 percent of cases. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common type of bariatric surgery. Although it is considered a major surgery, Bariatric surgery is performed with minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy. This leads to not only quick surgery, smaller incisions, and less scarring, but also provides faster healing and recovery.
What to Expect from Bariatric Surgical Procedures?
The majority of patients lose between 50 and 80 percent of their excess body weight following 18 to 24 months of surgery. When patients lose weight, the fatty tissue around the upper airway shrinks, which can prevent sleep apnea-related upper airway collapse. However, weight loss can only be maintained with a commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes along with regular exercise. Within the first three months, they typically notice a significant improvement in their sleep apnea symptoms - less snoring (without wearing CPAP) and less daytime sleepiness and fatigue. After a year, 80 to 85 percent of patients have recovered from their sleep apnea and can stop using their CPAP. Patients must maintain their weight loss, as regaining a significant amount of weight will almost certainly result in the return of sleep apnea. As a result, patients have a 30 to 40% lower chance of dying from sleep apnea. More than 70% of the time, surgery also aids in reducing the risk of other life-threatening medical conditions including kidney, heart, and liver disease, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and PCOS.
If you are looking for the best hospital for Bariatric Surgery in Millers Road, Bangalore; then consult Manipal Hospital. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and has the best bariatric surgeons in Millers Road, Bangalore.
Consultant - Bariatric & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
Manipal Hospitals, Millers Road, Bangalore
