13 Aug Why Your Loss Of Sleep Can Make You Gain Weight
People who live with obesity are more likely to deal with obstructive sleep apnea than those who are at a healthier weight. The main explanation behind this is that body weight can push down on the airway and create momentary blockages during sleep. However, the connection between sleep apnea and weight gain is much more complicated than that.
The first thing you should know that sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain because it raises levels of cortisol, a stress hormone — this increases your appetite and pushes you to seek relief through eating foods that are high in carbohydrates and fat. Another hormone that is increased in this situation is ghrelin, which is supposed to signal the body’s hunger. Higher ghrelin means that you will be pushed to eat more than your necessary caloric intake for the day, even if your body doesn’t need it for energy. The additional ghrelin encourages the body to release less leptin, the hormone that indicates fullness and satisfaction.
In addition to over-indulging, research has shown sleep loss is tied to significant weight gain because people burn fewer calories when they’re tired — their body’s resting metabolic rate slows down when it is tired, but returns to normal when it experiences a regular sleep pattern. Some experts believe that the body changes its metabolism in order to create balance when it gets less recovery time and receives more food. Others believe it is because your body registers the lack of rest and the heightened levels of stress hormones as a sign that it is in survival mode and requires as much fuel as possible.
Obesity and sleep apnea are health issues that make each other’s symptoms worse in a vicious cycle. Less exercise and heavier weights will impact obstructive sleep apnea, and sleep deprivation will make it difficult to exercise, resist sugary foods and physically lose weight. People can combat their weight gain and sleep apnea by investing in continuous positive airway pressure therapy devices — these will keep the airway clear throughout the night so that they feel rested and recovered in the morning. Getting back to a consistent sleep schedule will stop your metabolism from slowing down and prevent certain hormones from spiking. It also gives people the motivation and energy they need to go to the gym and commit to their workouts.
If you have obstructive sleep apnea and are concerned about your current obesity or about becoming obese, you should find CPAP equipment in Toronto in order to breathe throughout the night. For those who don’t live in the city of Toronto, you can still find high-quality CPAP equipment in Barrie and other Ontario locations like Vaughan, Mississauga and Milton. We have a wide selection of CPAP machines, masks, mask pillows, accessories and anti-snore products that could improve your sleep experience. A continuous positive airway pressure therapy device can feel like a big initial expense — there are lots of deals on used CPAP machines in Canada to make the financial commitment much easier for you. The Ontario Health Insurance Program and the Assistive Devices Program can also help cover the costs of CPAP machines and accompanying sleep aids for people living with obstructive sleep apnea.
Getting a full night of rest on a regular basis will encourage you to reach and stick to a healthy weight. Sleeping well is known for burning more calories, motivating physical exercise, deterring poor food choices and preventing bad habits like overeating, snacking late at night or indulging out of boredom. If you want to make a significant difference with the numbers on the scale and your overall health, you need to go to bed.