Sleep Apnea Problems Decreased by Bariatric Surgery

In case of obese people, during sleep, the throat muscles relax and the fatty tissue around the neck temporarily narrow the airway. When the muscles are entirely relaxed, the airway sector may be completely obstructed.

Both studies showed that bariatric surgery may have other benefits besides weight loss and patients also improve their sleep quality. The first study, conducted in Spain, involved thirty-one subjects who had an initial BMI averaged forty-seven and suffered from sleep apnea.

Almost half of the participants had an apnea/hypo apnea index (AHI) higher than fifteen, meaning they stop breathing for more than ten seconds for more than fifteen times per hour. This may seem unimportant, but during an eight-hour night, the participants may reach up to forty minutes without breathing per night.

After the bariatric surgery, the subjects had a BMI of up to thirty, and noticed improvements of their sleep quality. The results also showed that participants no longer need treatment for their sleep disturbances.

Plus, the American study showed that obese subject who suffered a bariatric surgery may decrease their risk of metabolic syndrome by reducing the levels of insulin resistance.

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