Experts and citizens gather in Louisville this week for the 8th Annual Southern Obesity Summit, which falls during Sleep Apnea Awareness Week.
Commonly associated with obesity, sleep Apnea occurs when a person’s breathing is shallow or pauses for a few seconds to a minute.
The condition can disrupt quality of sleep, resulting in extreme tiredness and increased risk for illness. Dr. Phillip Bale of Glasgow, Ky., says that sleep deprivation disrupts the patterns of hormones that control appetite, which causes cravings for carbs and junk food.
“Sleep is important in terms of weight control,” Bale said. “That of course relates to things like diabetes and cardiovascular health. Adequate sleep at all ages is critical, not only to how our brain works and learning, but to our health.”
Kentucky has an obesity rate of 31 percent, according to the United Health Foundation. Dr. Bale says sleep deprivation lends itself to obesity and obesity increases risk of sleep apnea, though not everyone with sleep apnea is overweight.
The FDA has recently approved a medical device that could help those suffering from the condition get a better night’s rest. It is a small implant that can be turned on by remote at night to stimulate muscles that keep airways open. Dr. Bale says it is a welcome advancement, as it is nicer than other surgical options for treatment and many people cannot tolerate other available therapies.
