“I have been dealing with sleep apnea for many years now and I can tell you that I have been to nearly all of the extremes. When I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea, I was at the highest weight I had ever been in my life. I was having trouble sleeping. I would wake up repeatedly gasping for breath. It was a very scary feeling for both me and my spouse.

"After visiting the doctor and completing the sleep studies, I began to understand that sleep apnea and weight loss are really related to one another. I was experiencing such severe sleep apnea symptoms because of my weight. I was gaining weight because of my interrupted sleep schedule.

“I would wake abruptly because I couldn't breathe and then get out of bed to calm myself once I regained my breath. I would head to the refrigerator or freezer and fix myself a snack, sort of my comfort food.

"I realized after some time and a lot of weight that was added to my already large body that I could control this. I read many studies that told about how getting a good night sleep would help me to lose the excess weight that I had been gaining.

“The body creates larger amounts of the hormones that are responsible for the feeling of being hungry when it is stressed or tired. I realized that by getting a good seven straight hours of sleep each night, introducing more physical activity in my life, and eating foods that are better for me that I was able to get the rest that I needed.

“This in combination with using my prescribed CPAP machine on a nightly basis put me on the track to improving my health.

"With the help of my CPAP, I started sleeping better. I also began replacing the unhealthy snacks with quick, more nutritious snacks and found it to be just as easy. Instead of a bowl of ice cream I now eat a low fat yogurt or a bowl of cereal with fresh fruit.

“It did take hard work and determination to get where I am today and I am not anywhere close to being a trim and fit person but I understand now that I have to manage my sleep apnea in order to keep my weight down. When my weight is down my sleep apnea symptoms are much less as well.

"As I continue to make the necessary life changes I realize that sleep apnea and weight loss are connected. When I think about my weight gain sleep apnea certainly has be the culprit. It's [weight control] working for me and it can work for anyone that wants to take their life back from being tired and hungry all of the time.”