Obesity and sleep apnea: Every kilo counts 

It's a taboo subject. But what good does that do? For people who have a Sleep apnea and are overweight, it is worth tackling weight loss. Doctors know of many cases in which sleep apnea has improved as a result of weight reduction. 

Short and sweet:

• The throat is like a soft tube.
• The narrower the throat, the easier it can narrow and close when inhaling.
• Anyone who is overweight already has a significant narrowing of the throat area due to fatty tissue.
• If air is sucked in when inhaling, it is even easier to block the airways in a tube that is already narrowed by fatty tissue.

If people who are overweight manage to reduce their weight – or even achieve a normal weight – they have a good chance that the narrowing of the throat during inhalation will decrease or stop altogether. 

Another plus: Due to the weight reduction, snoring often decreases. 

If you are unsure whether you suffer from sleep apnea, the app Snorefox an uncomplicated assessment of your risk. Snorefox uses intelligent audio analysis of your nocturnal snoring and breathing noises to detect whether your airways are closing when you breathe. 

Especially if you have a few extra pounds, it is worth taking a closer look at the subject of sleep apnea and having your risk assessed.