New Treatment Option for Sleep Apnea
- Category: Diseases & Conditions, Sleep
- Posted On:
- Written By: Baton Rouge General
Tirzepatide, a GLP-1 medication already on the market to treat diabetes, is now FDA approved to help those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity, making it the first and only prescription medication for OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea causes blockage in the upper airway, making you stop and start breathing while you sleep. It’s most often diagnosed in people who are overweight or obese.
The medication activates hormones secreted from the intestine to reduce appetite and decrease food intake. Researchers have found that by reducing body weight, OSA improves because there is less fat in the neck, throat, tongue, and chest wall. Reducing fat in these specific areas helps to open airways, increase lung volume, and reduces the pressure on the airways which decreases the likelihood that the airway will collapse during sleep. Losing just 10% of your body weight can reduce the severity of sleep apnea by 50%, and in some cases, cure OSA.
Adding tirzepatide to a weight loss plan including diet and exercise significantly reduces the number of times a person stops breathing while sleeping. In the end, this leads to more restful, deeper sleep and a better overall health outcome. Medications containing tirzepatide come with side effects and warnings, so make sure to discuss all potential reactions and any pre-existing health conditions with your physician.