A Little Weight Loss May Ease Sleep Apnea Finnish study of obese people found the breathing condition improved over four-year period

THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A small amount of weight loss might help combat sleep apnea, a new study suggests.

Finnish researchers said losing as little as 5 percent of body weight seems to lead to significant improvement in the condition -- in which breathing pauses frequently while people are asleep, resulting in disrupted sleep and daytime fatigue.

"Being overweight is considered the most important risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea," said lead researcher Dr. Henri Tuomilehto, an adjunct professor at the University of Eastern Finland's Oivauni Sleep Clinic, in Kuopio.

Being moderately overweight increases the risk for obstructive sleep apnea by 10 times, Tuomilehto said. "It has been estimated that around 70 percent of all patients with obstructive sleep apnea are obese," he said.

Based on this and other studies, Tuomilehto said, a weight-reduction program with lifestyle counseling should be a part of the routine treatment for all obstructive sleep apnea patients who are obese.

Read more. tinyurl.com/mg3u46r