Sleep apnea and exercise are connected in a variety of ways. This relationship is rooted in the well-documented correlation between physical activity and improved sleep. Exercise is also a key component in weight loss. It can ultimately help prevent obesity, which is a leading risk factor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the most common type of sleep apnea. New research is elevating sleep’s role and importance in overall health, shedding new light on the sleep apnea/exercise connection.

A poll by the National Sleep Foundation found that 67% of respondents who identified as “exercising regularly” slept well and rarely experienced insomnia, trouble falling asleep, or waking up throughout the night. The results of the poll include encouraging news for those who are inactive. They found that making even small changes, like adding 10 minutes of walking daily, can positively affect sleep quality. A surprising finding from this same poll is that even standing and stretching can help promote better sleep. In fact, this is the first research that equates sitting for long hours as not only being a potential detriment to health but also having a direct link to the sleep/exercise equation.

In addition to helping you sleep better, exercise helps alleviate the risk of sleep apnea by promoting a healthy body weight. According to JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, obesity is the most important risk factor for developing sleep apnea. While the preventive benefits of exercise on sleep apnea risk are evident, how does exercise help if you have sleep apnea symptoms and are part of the 80% of sufferers who go undiagnosed? Classic signs of sleep-disordered breathing include morning headaches, lack of mental acuity, and daytime grogginess. If you are dragging because of these symptoms, exercising may be the last thing on your mind. This is the unfortunate bidirectional relationship between sleep apnea and exercise, but one that should encourage anyone experiencing these symptoms to get tested for obstructive sleep apnea, especially those who are overweight and over the age of 50. Once on treatment, weight reduction through exercise can also help reduce neck size, which can help elevate the narrowing of the airway.

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is linked to serious comorbidities, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Incorporating healthy lifestyle changes such as exercising and eating a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, resulting in a better night’s sleep and overall health.

To learn more about how BetterNight can help you provide more effective and efficient care to at-risk sleep apnea patients, contact us.