You probably know that being overweight can cause a number of health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. However, losing weight can also make quite a few problems go away. Here are two health issues you can solve (or significantly alleviate) by dropping those extra pounds.

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a breathing condition where oral tissues collapse into the airway during sleep, causing the sleeper to stop breathing for a few seconds. While a few seconds may not seem like anything to worry about, consider that this problem can occur anywhere from 5 to 100 times per hour.

This breathing problem significantly increases your risk of having a stroke, because it starves the brain of much-needed oxygen. Additionally, your brain wakes you up each time you stop breathing, so you tend to be more tired during the day due to restless sleep, which can lead to its own problems.

One common cause of sleep apnea is being overweight. Researchers find that people with excess weight have extra tissue in the back of mouths that blocks the throat. According to some experts, losing 10 percent of your body weight can alleviate sleep apnea, and reducing to a healthy size can possibly cure the condition altogether.

Be aware that sleep apnea can be caused by other things, such as irregular oral tissues. So, it's essential you get properly diagnosed by a healthcare provider before beginning any treatment program.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Many people think the only way you can get liver disease is by excessively drinking alcohol. Being overweight, however, can also result in a damaging condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This term actually covers a number of diseases where the primary issue is excessive amounts of fat stored in the liver.

The liver is an essential organ involved in a number of biological processes, such as blood filtering, energy production, and blood clotting. Fatty liver disease can inhibit these functions leading to insulin insensitivity, high blood pressure, and increased abdominal fat. The liver can become inflamed, which may lead to permanent damage similar to that caused by excessive drinking.

However, fatty liver disease responds favorably to weight loss, which makes sense since excess fat is the heart of the problem. Again, 10 percent is the magic number here. Reducing just that amount of weight can reduce inflammation and improve liver function.

For information on guided weight loss programs that can help you slim down and enjoy better health, contact a guided weight loss clinic in your area.

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