A new study out of the United Kingdom found that adults who get less sleep are more likely to be overweight. The study of 1,615 adults was led by Laura Hardie from the University of Leeds. Hardie found that adults who only got six hours of sleep had waistlines 1.2 inches bigger than participants who enjoyed nine hours of sleep.

One primary cause of sleeplessness is sleep apnea, which affects an estimated 18 million American adults. Being overweight increases the chances of having sleep apnea – excessive body tissue can result in airway obstruction. The more overweight, the greater likelihood of increasingly severe symptoms. Heavier adults run the risk of becoming trapped in a vicious cycle of sleep dysfunction -- sleep apnea diminishes sleep which increases weight, which makes the sleep apnea worse!

Dentists can help break this cycle by encouraging overweight patients to be tested for sleep apnea…and by making available to them to try special appliances for sleep apnea, like the Zyppah K or the Lamberg Sleep-Well Appliance. At SML Global, we offer a variety of appliances for sleep apnea.