Sleep apnea can cause weight gain, fatigue, and even depression. We spoke with weight management expert Dr. Jyoti Manekar about the symptoms of sleep apnea and what to do about it on this episode of My Weight Live.

If you don’t want to watch the whole episode, just read the main takeaways below:

– What is sleep apnea? It is pausing of breathing involuntarily for brief periods of time during sleep.

– Sleep apnea is a cycle: less oxygen reaches your brain while you sleep, you become more tired, & your metabolism decreases. This results in weight gain, and your sleep apnea can get worse. Losing any amount of weight can reduce the impact sleep apnea has on your body.

– Be aware that alcohol, tranquilizers, and sedatives can relax your neck muscles, which leads to more pinching of the airway. Refraining from consuming these can improve your breathing during sleep.

– Sleeping on your back is not the best position, as sleep apnea occurs most in this position. Try sleeping on your side to reduce the effects of sleep apnea.

– As a way to determine whether your airway is narrow or not, grab your phone, open your mouth, and take a photo. If your airway looks narrow, reach out to your primary care doctor about possible sleep apnea.

– Being well-rested stems from having a consistent sleep schedule! Having good sleep hygiene means going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day.

– If you’re interested in losing weight to improve your sleep, consider seeing a physician who specializes in weight management. Click here to find one in Canada near you.

If you’re interested in watching more episodes of My Weight Live, click here.

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