Does Sleep Apnea Ever Go Away?

JanieJack
JanieJack Posts: 3,831 Member
edited December 2024 in Chit-Chat
Can anything be done to cure Sleep Apnea? I know a lot of people sleep with the machines (CPAP, APAP) but can you ever make it go away? Like snoring... when I start snoring, I know I've put on too much weight. Can you lose enough weight, or take enough supplements or "do enough something" that Sleep Apnea will go away?

Thanks,

Janie

Replies

  • TheGoblinRoad
    TheGoblinRoad Posts: 835 Member
    I know it's common for people who've lost the weight to no longer need the machines.
  • Anthonydaman
    Anthonydaman Posts: 854 Member
    I had surgery for sleep apnea, they did a uvulectomy and basically routed out my nasal cavities, i still snore, just not as bad
  • PayneAS
    PayneAS Posts: 669 Member
    Depends on the cause of the apnea. My father has congenital apnea which cannot be cured (as far as I know). However, if it is caused by a person's weight, well losing weight should eventually make it so you would be cured I would guess. I've also read that there is surgery that can be done to open the airway a bit more.
  • Gestahl
    Gestahl Posts: 110 Member
    From what I understand, it depends on exactly what's causing the sleep apnea, but losing weight may very well cure it, particularly losing excess fat around the neck. The excess weight basically collapses muscles in the neck, obstructing your air flow... so if you lose the extra weight around the neck, it stops being an issue.

    Or that's my understanding, at least, as someone with sleep apnea. I believe there are people who just have the issue regardless of weight problems (not certain), but losing weight can eventually take away the need for a CPAP.
  • IndigoVA
    IndigoVA Posts: 164 Member
    My husband has horrible sleep apnea. I struggled with him for years to go to a sleep clinic and be tested. When he finally agreed, he tested in the "very serious" category (which is the worst). He is overweight now, but he has had it ever since I've known him. When we met, he was actually very thin. His father has it too, so I think his is genetic. After his visit to the sleep clinic, he got a CPAP and it has been a life saver for him (and a marriage saver for us). I would highly recommend going to a sleep clinic.
  • Justapartyofone
    Justapartyofone Posts: 31
    In my case as I lost weight I no longer needed the CPAP machine and now I don't even snore...
  • JanieJack
    JanieJack Posts: 3,831 Member
    Thanks everyone... Sounds like some cases it’s genetic, but in others controlling weight helps.

    I ask because someone told me he had Sleep Apnea and that there's nothing you can do about it. That didn't sit right with me, not just because it was our first date, but because I’m very resistant to the idea that we can’t improve our lives. OTOH, Sleep Apnea is something I’ve never had to deal with, so I thought I’d ask some total strangers on the internet.
  • JanieJack
    JanieJack Posts: 3,831 Member
    bump
  • nikola1202
    nikola1202 Posts: 1
    I have recently been searching for info about <a href="http://sleepapneacure-info.com/">this subject</a> for a long time
  • Gapwedge01
    Gapwedge01 Posts: 494
    I was tested in January 2009 and have been using a CPAP ever since. My was diagnoised as severe. Not only does it make you feel tired from lack of sleep, but your oxygen saturation levels drop to a dangerous level putting undue stress on your major organs including your brain. Obstructive sleep apnea may not be curable. Sleep apnea due to weight gain can be if the person loses the weight. That is my category-the weight gainer. I wear my CPAP nightly even on overnight trips and vacations. I want so badly to get off the machine, but I will have to lose weight to do it.
    Anyone with sleep apnea wanting to be friends here on MFP send me a message. I need all the support I can get.
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