How much is weight related to apnea?

[SleepingUgly]

My doctor told me "Men are likely to wean off their C.P.A.P. if they lose weight. Women are not likely to be able to stop using their C.P.A.P. with a weight loss"...My doctor also said if a woman has sleep apnea her children are likely to have apnea, however if their father has sleep apnea, it does not necessarily carry over to his children.

Did your doctor get this information from his mother or his father?

[breakfast]

Under the right conditions I can lose weight pretty easily. Last time, I lost 60 lbs. My average pressure did not change nor did my AHI. At my last sleep study I was 20lbs heavier than the previous; my AHI was still down over the prior study. Would I have much fewer apneas if I were the ideal size for my frame? Probably. But when my apnea started, I was 10 years old, and at the ideal size for my frame.

Does my apnea get worse when I am heavier than I was? Sure, probably, because I have a lot of trouble resting comfortably in a position where my airway stays open. I feel like crap all the time. Is it because my apnea is worse, therefore, my treatment inadequate? Perhaps. Is it because I'm not built to be this heavy? Perhaps that, too. Is it UARS? Is it OSA? Is it some other sort of SDB? Who knows. How much does it matter, though? SDB is still SDB.

[Thewino]

I've been thin my whole life. I am a vegetarian and try to eat healthy. In addition, I am lactose intolerant so I do no eat very much dairy except for soy milk with cereal or homemade smoothies.

I believe my CPAP is probably a symptom of other medical issues that I deal with. This is just a guess though.

Be well all,
TheWino

[TiredMomNY]

My new sleep Dr. looked in my throat the other day and said that I have a great airway. So, losing weight would probably eliminate the need for a machine. I'm hoping it's all I need to hear to get the weight off!

[Jason S.]

Are there a lot of thin people with apnea or is weight almost always a factor? I'm not trying to offend anyone. But honestly, my first response to my horrible sleep study results were, this is because I've gained weight!!! So I'm wondering if losing weight typically improves the apnea, does it depend upon the type of apnea or is it a possible positive effect, but not necessarily one that will eliminate the need for CPAP?

Thanks!

I am 6'3" and 180 lbs. Most would consider that slim. My ENT says my jaw is small and too far back and basically my mouth is not large enough to support my teeth and tongue. When I sleep, my tongue falls back and blocks the airway.