Flourish - eMag - Feb 25 - Flipbook - Page 47
Weight loss
and OSA
Weight reduction may serve as a treatment
option for OSA. Studies show that greater weight
loss leads to signi昀椀cant improvements in OSA
symptoms. Weight loss also enhances glucose
and cholesterol metabolism and lowers blood
pressure.
However, individual responses to weight loss
vary signi昀椀cantly, and further research is needed
to identify those who bene昀椀t the most.
OSA may also contribute to obesity and related
cardio-metabolic diseases. For example,
OSA can promote weight gain by disrupting
hormones that control hunger and metabolism
and by reducing motivation to exercise. This
combination reduces fat burning and increases
food consumption.
There is evidence that OSA may slow down
weight loss. Studies show that individuals with
OSA participating in long-term weight loss
programmes lose less weight than those without
the condition.
Combining therapies
for better outcomes
Weight management, combined with CPAP and other OSA therapies, is essential for reducing
OSA severity. Tailored weight loss programmes that consider individual patient preferences are
now recommended in practice guidelines as part of the treatment strategy for overweight or
obese individuals with OSA.
