Vijay Singh Vijay Singh Asked 5 months ago

Can untreated sleep apnea cause weight gain?

My wife has been diagnosed with sleep apnea and she's noticed she's put on some weight recently. We are trying to understand the link between the two. Can untreated sleep apnea cause weight gain?

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12 answers

Sanjay Gupta Sanjay Gupta Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago
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It is a vicious cycle: sleep apnea causes tiredness, so you eat more carbs for quick energy and gain weight, which then worsens the apnea. Before spending on expensive treatments, try sleeping on your side and doing breathing exercises, but do see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Aarav Mehta Aarav Mehta Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Yes, sleep apnea ruins your sleep quality, which messes up the hormones that control hunger. Please consider getting a sleep study done, it can really help you feel better.

Amit Sharma Amit Sharma Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

I was panicking when my weight shot up and I woke up gasping for air. But once I got diagnosed and started using a CPAP machine as advised by my doc, my sleep improved and I easily lost 8 kgs. It is very manageable once you start treatment.

Aditya Rao Aditya Rao Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Don't fall for online remedies or simple fat-burners to cure this. Sleep apnea is a serious respiratory issue where you stop breathing in your sleep, and it definitely causes weight gain by disrupting cortisol. Get a professional sleep study done instead of trying random tricks.

Rohan Malhotra Rohan Malhotra Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

Let's be direct: yes, it absolutely causes weight gain because your body is in constant fight-or-flight mode due to lack of oxygen. Don't waste time on lifestyle changes alone, book a sleep study and consult a ENT or pulmonologist immediately.

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Consult a dietary specialist

Vikram Malhotra Vikram Malhotra Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Yes, sleep deprivation directly increases ghrelin (hunger hormone), leading to weight gain. Getting a CPAP machine prescribed by a doctor makes a big difference.

Ramesh Damodaran Ramesh Damodaran Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

At my age, waking up tired is a daily routine, but sleep apnea takes it to another level! It literally slows down your metabolism to a crawl, making you gain weight just by looking at food. Go get a sleep test done before you buy bigger trousers!

Riya Joshi Riya Joshi Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

I am actually facing this problem where I snore a lot and cannot lose weight no matter what. Is sleep apnea diagnosed through normal blood tests or do we have to sleep at a hospital for it? If anyone can guide me, please.

Kartik Subramanian Kartik Subramanian Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

My father always told me that good sleep is the foundation of health. When my snoring got worse and my weight increased, I consulted our family physician who recommended a home sleep test. Trusting the doctor and using the CPAP therapy really helped normalize my weight.

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Anjali Deshmukh Anjali Deshmukh Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

Having PCOS, I know how hard it is when sleep apnea and hormonal weight gain combine to make things difficult. I am still trying to manage mine slowly, so I suggest consulting an endocrinologist or sleep specialist to help you safely coordinate your treatment.

Sunita Chaudhury Sunita Chaudhury Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Please get this checked by a pulmonologist soon. I ignored my heavy snoring and fatigue, which eventually led to severe high blood pressure and heart strain along with rapid weight gain. Early intervention is very crucial.

Neha Sen Neha Sen Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

I completely understand how frustrating it is to deal with constant fatigue and weight gain when you don't know the cause. It is so exhausting and stressful. Please take a deep breath, speaking to a sleep specialist will give you the right direction.

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