Moderate weight loss improves sleep apnea

Weight loss is an effective long-term treatment for patients with sleep apnea who are overweight or obese, a study shows. Obesity is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing for short periods repeatedly during the night. Gary Foster, who directs Temple's Center for Obesity Research and Education, says that just as with other obesity-related diseases, moderate weight loss appears to improve sleep apnea symptoms in many patients.

WebMD | June 1, 2011