Did you know that poor quality sleep can affect your ability to maintain a healthy weight?
There is a direct connection between weight, health, and quality of sleep.
Changes in Brain Chemistry
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported on a study that measured the molecular ties between sleep deprivation and weight gain.
Researchers found that low quality sleep creates chemical changes in the brain. This condition may weaken the ability to resist unhealthy foods.
“If you see junk food and you’ve had enough sleep, you may be able to control some aspects of your natural response. But if you are sleep deprived, your hedonic drive for certain foods gets stronger, and your ability to resist them may be impaired. So you are more likely to eat it. Do that again and again, and you pack on the pounds.” –Tianna Hicklin, Ph.D.
Let’s look at the science. Research reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine found:
“The amount of human sleep contributes to the maintenance of fat-free body mass at times of decreased energy intake. Lack of sufficient sleep may compromise the efficacy of typical dietary interventions for weight loss and related metabolic risk reduction.”–Annals of Internal Medicine
Poor Sleep and Diabetes
A study conducted by the University of Chicago School of Medicine found a connection between lousy sleep, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes.
“The study, the first to examine the impact of sleep loss on 24-hour fatty acid levels in the blood, adds to emerging evidence that insufficient sleep–a highly prevalent condition in modern society–may disrupt fat metabolism and reduce the ability of insulin to regulate blood sugars. It suggests that something as simple as getting enough sleep could help counteract the current epidemics of diabetes and obesity.”–Esra Tasali, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago.
Suspect you might have sleep apnea?
If you suffer from daytime sleepiness, or your partner says you stop breathing temporarily during sleep, see your doctor promptly.
If you want to start out with a specialist, ask your primary doctor for a recommendation. In the U.S., the American Board of Sleep Medicine certifies physicians who treat sleep disorders.
Some types of sleep apnea can be treated with oral appliance therapy (OAT).
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has recommends OAT in the following circumstances:
- For patients with mild to moderate OSA
- For individuals with severe OSA who are unable to use CPAP devices
- As a combination therapy (using CPAP and an oral appliance together)
A custom-fit oral appliance allows patients to breath normally while sleeping. A diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea must be made by an MD. If the physician recommends oral appliance therapy, he or she will refer the patient to a dentist who is trained in treating sleep disorders. At Blaisdell Family Dentistry, we provide OAT for patients who have received a diagnosis of mild to moderate sleep apnea from a physician.
Contact Blaisdell Family Dentistry:
208-377-9696
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
8877 W Hackamore Dr
Boise, Idaho
83709
