Research Corner - Q&A Sleep Apnea by Stephen Holt | Date Released : 06 Nov 2002 0 comments Print Close Question I have a client with sleep apnea. He can't seem to lose weight, and sweats a lot. He says he has a slow metabolism. Any recommendations on a metabolism boosting diet? Answer Once you help your client with his sleep apnea, you're likely to find that the other problems may take care of themselves. It's important to note, however, that research links sleep apnea to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, impotency, headaches, memory problems and even car accidents. Your client's sleeping problems may be signs of something even more serious. As many as 5 percent of adult men and half as many women have sleep apnea. (Fewer than 10% of people with sleep apnea are being treated.) The major risk factors include being over forty and being overweight. Research shows that about 80% of people diagnosed with sleep apnea are at least 130% of their "ideal" body weight. The conundrum is that weight gain can lead to sleep apnea and sleep apnea can lead to weight gain. The lethargy and fatigue resulting from disordered sleep usually leads to decreased physical activity during the day. In addition, the decreased REM sleep associated with sleep apnea has been linked to increased food intake. A University of Wisconsin Medical School study revealed that a 10 percent weight gain over a four-year interval was associated with a 500% increase in the likelihood of developing sleep apnea. The good news is that sleep scientists have found that a loss of 10 percent of your body weight can drop the severity of sleep apnea by 25 percent. Sleep apnea can be alleviated with the use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP. CPAP (pronounced "C- pap") involves the use of a specially designed mask worn over the nose and mouth. Several studies have shown that the use of CPAP can lead to weight loss. Help your client find the appropriate health professional to conduct a sleep study and possibly prescribe CPAP. Also, make sure that your client is cleared of the other medical concerns mentioned above. Back to top About the author: Stephen Holt Stephen is the Technical/Education Director of the Maryland Athletic Club and Wellness Center where he is responsible for all aspects of fitness education for over 60 colleagues. In addition to being one of the most popular fitness advisors on the web, Stephen has appeared in several national publications including Fit, Women's Sports and Fitness, Fitness Management and IDEA Personal Trainer. Holt is a member of the Clinical Advisory Board of both the American Medical Athletic Association and the American Running Association and serves on the Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness in Maryland. He is the Immediate-past State Director of the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Stephen holds multiple certifications from ACSM, NSCA, ACE, the CHEK Institute, AAAI and the American Academy of Health, Fitness and Rehab Professionals. Full Author Details Related content Content from Stephen Holt There is no related content. Please click here to see more... | Breathing Problems with Running Stephen Holt | Articles Sprint vs. Long Distance Running for Weight Loss Stephen Holt | Articles Popliteus Knee Tendonitis Stephen Holt | Articles Anaphylaxis Stephen Holt | Articles Buergers Disease Stephen Holt | Articles Inversion Boots Stephen Holt | Articles Chinese Blood Letting Stephen Holt | Articles Sauna Fitness? Stephen Holt | Articles Macro, Meso- and Microcycles Stephen Holt | Articles Height Predictions Stephen Holt | Articles Double Jointed Client Stephen Holt | Articles Restless Legs Syndrome Stephen Holt | Articles Triple Extension – What is it? Stephen Holt | Articles High vs. Low Static Exercise Stephen Holt | Articles Aerobic Training Adaptation Stephen Holt | Articles Crosstrainer vs. Treadmill Stephen Holt | Articles Heart Rate Monitors and Caloric Expenditure Stephen Holt | Articles Spot Reduction for Thighs Stephen Holt | Articles Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss Stephen Holt | Articles VO2 Max Stephen Holt | Articles Genetics and Heart Disease Stephen Holt | Articles Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Physiology Stephen Holt | Articles Strength vs. Hypertrophy Stephen Holt | Articles Heart - Mitral Valve Prolapse Stephen Holt | Articles Low Blood Pressure and Exercise Stephen Holt | Articles Sleep Apnea Stephen Holt | Articles Heart Rate Targeting Stephen Holt | Articles Bilateral Sacroiliitis Stephen Holt | Articles Numb Arms and Legs when Running Stephen Holt | Articles Nausea During Workouts Stephen Holt | Articles Uneven Leg Length Stephen Holt | Articles Nerve Impingement Stephen Holt | Articles Rhomboid Knots with Exercise Stephen Holt | Articles Blood Pressure and Exercise Stephen Holt | Articles Uneven Shoulders Stephen Holt | Articles Tense Neck During Ab Work Stephen Holt | Articles Biomechanical Look at Triceps Stephen Holt | Articles Get Off Your Rear! Stephen Holt | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top