Sleep Apnea is a common yet serious sleep disorder that, if left untreated, is linked to many health

problems including an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity (irregular heartbeat, heart attacks,

strokes, and high blood pressure) and abnormalities. This condition is especially prevalent among

patients who are obese or overweight. Nearly 25% of men and 10% of women reportedly suffer

from this condition.

The three major types of Sleep Apnea are:

 Obstructive sleep apnea,

 Central sleep apnea, and

 Complex sleep apnea syndrome

However, the most common type among patients is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Relation Between Weight and Sleep Apnea:

A person with sleep apnea is unable to breathe regularly while asleep. This happens when the airway

becomes blocked, preventing air from flowing into the lungs. The blockage can be caused by excess

tissue in the back of the throat, enlarged tonsils, or a long uvula (the soft part at the back of your

nose).

Severe sleep apnea additionally causes daytime sleepiness and fatigue because it interrupts normal

sleep patterns. Both the quantity and quality of sleep may suffer as a result, as may the oxygenation

of key organs.

Obese people frequently have thicker throat tissue that could increase their risk of developing

apnea. Hence, Obesity stands as one of the prime contributing factors of developing this condition.

Various reports say that about 85% of patients with sleep apnea are obese. People of all ages can

be affected by this condition, but those over the age of 40 and those who are overweight are at a

higher risk.

Treatment of Sleep Apnea Through Bariatric Surgery:

The conventional treatment for sleep apnea that is most common among patients is Continuous

Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Patients who use CPAP therapy are required to wear a mask that is

attached to an air blower that forces air through the mouth and/or nose.

CPAP method is helpful to keep the upper airway open as it provides higher air pressure than that of

the surrounding air. However, not everyone can find this method useful however reliable as it

sounds, because it can be super uncomfortable for certain groups of people. Additionally,

compliance is relatively low with CPAP treatment, less than 50 percent. In such cases, the best way

to cure sleep apnea is to opt for a surgical procedure.

How Bariatric Surgery is the Solution for Sleep Apnea?

Bariatric surgery or Weight Loss Surgery is an effective surgical procedure to prevent and reverse

the effect of severe sleep apnea among people suffering from obesity. This method results in

remission in 80 to 85 percent of cases.

 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common type of bariatric surgery. Although it is

considered a major surgery, Bariatric surgery is performed with minimally invasive

techniques such as laparoscopy. This leads to not only quick surgery, smaller incisions, and

less scarring, but also provides faster healing and recovery.

What to Expect from Bariatric Surgical Procedures?

The majority of patients lose between 50 and 80 percent of their excess body weight following 18 to

24 months of surgery. When patients lose weight, the fatty tissue around the upper airway shrinks,

which can prevent sleep apnea-related upper airway collapse. However, weight loss can only be

maintained with a commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes along with regular exercise.

 Within the first three months, they typically notice a significant improvement in their sleep

apnea symptoms - less snoring (without wearing CPAP) and less daytime sleepiness and

fatigue.

 After a year, 80 to 85 percent of patients have recovered from their sleep apnea and can

stop using their CPAP.

Patients must maintain their weight loss, as regaining a significant amount of weight will almost

certainly result in the return of sleep apnea. As a result, patients have a 30 to 40% lower chance of

dying from this condition. More than 70% of the time, surgery also aids in reducing the risk of other

life-threatening medical conditions including kidney, heart, and liver disease, type-2 diabetes, high

blood pressure, and PCOS.

If you are looking for the best hospital for Bariatric Surgery in Millers Road, Bangalore; then consult

Manipal Hospital. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and has the