What is Sleep Apnoea?
Essentially sleep apnoea is where an individual’s breathing will stop and start during sleep. Some of the other symptoms one may experience if they have sleep apnoea include, snoring, falling asleep whilst watching television, snorting noises, stop-start breathing frequent waking and feeling very tired on a daily basis. Unfortunately, individuals who suffer from sleep apnoea tend to be affected by this condition throughout the day, as interrupted sleep is frequent, this can lead to tiredness, irritability and an inability to concentrate on daily tasks. There are various types of Sleep Apnoea, including Central Sleep Apnoea, Complex Sleep Apnoea and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, which is the most common form of the disorder. This form of sleep apnoea can result in loud snoring due to the airway becoming blocked, as a result of the soft tissue in the back of the throat relaxing and blocking the airway.
What is the link between Obesity and Sleep Apnoea?
The most prevalent form of sleep apnoea as stated above is obstructive sleep apnoea and the most common cause of this form of the disorder is obesity. It has been found that around 85% of individuals who suffer with sleep apnoea are in fact obese. Obese individuals are more likely to have bulkier tissue surrounding the throat, making them more susceptible to sleep apnoea. Generally, there are more males suffering from sleep apnoea than females, with the condition affecting around 25% of men and 10% of women, typically over the age of 40. Not only is this disorder associated with obesity, there are other serious conditions that sleep apnoea is associated with including, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and insulin resistance.
Can I have weight loss surgery if I have Sleep Apnoea?
One of the most conventional treatment options for sleep apnoea is a continuous positive airway pressure machine, otherwise known as CPAP. This involves the individual wearing a mask over the nose and mouth to allow pressurized air to flow through the throat. However, when this does not work weight loss surgery can be considered. During your initial consultation you will complete a questionnaire assessment tool such as the Stop-Bang test. If scoring is high, then sleep studies will be required to confirm whether you have sleep apnoea. For patients who are considering weight loss surgery, they would be required to use the CPAP machine for 6 weeks prior to surgery, as sleep apnoea can increase the risk to your right heart. It has been found that even reducing one’s body weight by just 10% can in fact substantially improve sleep apnoea symptoms. Therefore, losing a significant amount of weight, which can be achieved following weight loss surgery, can in fact lead to the disorder being cured. Proven procedures that have led to remission of Sleep Apnoea include REY gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric banding and here at Obesity Surgery Manchester; Professor Senapati offers all three of these procedures.
What are the benefits of having weight loss surgery in relation to Sleep Apnoea?
Following weight loss surgery, there are many benefits that patients will experience. First and foremost, weight loss is most certainly achieved following such procedures and as a result of such significant weight loss, many health conditions can be eased or even cured. In terms of weight loss, it can vary between procedures, however generally patients can lose 50-75% of their excess body weight. In relation to sleep apnoea, as a result of the significant weight loss, the thicker tissue surrounding the throat reduces and therefore helps the airway open to ensure breathing does not stop during sleep. Evidence suggests that there is a 90% chance that your sleep apnoea will be cured and in some individuals the CPAP machine is not required after just a few weeks post-procedure. However, the team would always advise that patients consult with their sleep clinic to clarify when it is appropriate for patients to disuse their machine.
Here at Obesity Surgery Manchester we have many patients who have a variety of conditions and co-morbidities that improve or are even cured following weight loss surgery. Visit the link below to read some of our amazing patient testimonials! www.obesitysurgerymanchester.co.uk/patient-testimonials.html