Article from Dr. Christopher J. Allen
and Dr. Dafina Allen
How Does Sleep Affect the Weight
Loss Journey? We Asked a Husband-and-Wife Team
of Medical Experts
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Obesity is a significant risk factor for OSA, occurring in an estimated 41% to 70% of patients with the condition5,6.
Sleep health and the challenge of weight loss
"When patients come to see me, they often know that weight plays some role with sleep apnea," says Chris. "And it's true that, for many patients, weight loss can reduce the severity of sleep apnea. But achieving that is where getting the right treatment and support matters."
"I have patients - many of whom wind up working with Chris - who realize that their weight loss isn't progressing because they're not getting quality sleep," Dafina adds. "When you aren't sleeping well, your cortisol levels are higher, increasing your visceral fat. You tend to be more irritable; you may want to snack more and be less motivated to be active. Having an untreated sleep condition like OSA is going to be a major barrier to managing your weight in a healthy way."
Research has shown that the
(BPT) - As a sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Christopher J. Allen knows well the importance of sleep health, which is not only defined by the number of hours the individual sleeps, but also the quality of the sleep and the absence of sleep disorders1. He regularly sees patients who have conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where obesity can be a significant risk factor. And when it comes to helping those patients address weight challenges, he knows another doctor who comes highly recommended: weight management specialist Dr. Dafina Allen. As a husband-and-wife team, the Allens often share patients between them because of the significant interplay between obesity and sleep health.
OSA is sleep disordered breathing that occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway, and it affects more than 54 million Americans2. It can lead to drowsiness and fatigue during the day, but can also increase the risk for heart attack, heart failure, stroke and contributes to high blood pressure3. By some estimates, moderate-to-severe OSA can increase mortality risk by 33%4.