Weight Loss Treatment for Sleep Apnea – Irving, TX

What Causes Obesity?

An estimated 33% of adults and 21% of children between the ages of 10 and 17 in the state of Texas are categorized as obese, and while this doesn’t automatically mean that you have sleep apnea, it can increase your risk of developing it. Having too much weight on your body can be due to a variety of reasons, including:

• Unhealthy eating habits
• Not being active enough
• Sleep disorders or sleep apnea that causes fatigue
• Genetics
• Medications
• Societal determinants

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

There are three types of sleep apnea in Irving, the most common being obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which involves the cessation of breathing due to blocked airways. When soft tissues in the mouth collapse, like your tongue, and block your airway, it prevents air from freely flowing in and out of your body as you sleep, keeping you from being able to reach deep sleep as well as preventing proper oxygen reaching the brain.

One of the causes of obstructive sleep apnea is weight accumulation around the neck, weighing down the soft oral tissues and causing airway obstruction. Some other causes of this condition include a narrow throat, nasal congestion, smoking, or a deviated septum. As the condition is left untreated, this sleep-breathing disorder can result in a spectrum of medical and health problems, like high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and even heart attack.

The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Weight

Being categorized as obese doesn’t necessarily mean that you have sleep apnea, it simply increases your risk of developing the disorder—especially if you have fat accumulation around your neck. This is because the added weight makes it more likely that your airway can become blocked or obstructed during sleep.

Just like how your weight can increase your risk of experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, your sleep-breathing disorder can also impact your weight. Research has shown that having an irregular sleep cycle can lead to changes in body functionality, including:

• A slower metabolism
• Greater risk of diabetes due to reduced insulin sensitivity
• Increased craving for sugar and starch
• Minimal physical activity
• Fatty liver disease

Sleep Apnea and Weight Loss

While diet and exercise may be able to help some people who experience sleep apnea symptoms due to their weight, this isn’t the solution for everyone. It’s important to work with a professional through your weight loss journey, like nurse Katie Collier, so it’s not only highly effective and safe, but to also help you determine whether medication may be necessary. As you go through this process, our team’s goal is to help improve your quality of sleep and overall health as well as reduce your risk of medical conditions associated with sleep apnea.

At Star Sleep & Wellness in Irving, our team of doctors, as well as our nurse practitioners and licensed psychologist, can work together to curate a healthy and safe sleep apnea treatment plan to help improve your daily function by regulating your sleep patterns through a thorough weight loss program.

How Star Sleep & Wellness in Irving Can Help

Nurse practitioner Katie Collier is adept at creating effective and safe weight loss treatment plans for patients with sleep apnea to help them rest easier. She’ll begin by reviewing your personal and family medical history as well as listening to the symptoms you’re experiencing. She’ll also speak with you about any past attempts you’ve made to lose weight and your experience with that process.

Our office uses an advanced InBody scale that measures body composition, including your weight, body mass index, percentage of body fat, visceral fat, basal metabolic rate, and fluid status. This allows her to customize your weight loss treatment to your body’s specific needs, including the appropriate number of calories needed each day to achieve results.

Katie won’t just weigh you and tell you the number of calories needed to remain healthy while also losing weight—she’ll also create a nutrition guide to help you prepare meals and properly read nutrition labels. In addition to eating, she’ll offer an appropriate exercise schedule, and if you’re a candidate, may recommend anti-obesity medications to help regulate your appetite. In addition to your comprehensive plan, we’ll likely schedule routine monthly check-up appointments to track your progress and how you’re feeling throughout your journey.

Understanding the Cost of Weight Loss Treatment for Sleep Apnea

No two bodies are the same, which means that the cost of weight loss treatment for sleep apnea in Irving can vary from person-to-person. Your plan will be based on your unique needs and will be completely customized because of this. Medical insurance companies may cover the cost of anti-obesity medications if they’re needed as well as regularly scheduled visits, but this can vary from plan to plan. A member of our financial team can help you review your benefits and determine whether to expect any out-of-pocket costs.