Sleep apnea
Lifestyle modifications
NUTRITION
Alcohol: May worsen sleep apnea, disrupt sleep structure, and increase daytime sleepiness (2)
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
May modestly improve sleep apnea by itself, without weight loss, including AHI reduction, sleep efficiency, sleepiness (2)
WEIGHT
Weight loss is advised for patients with sleep apnea who are overweight or obese (1, 2)
Effect: A 9-17% weight loss may decrease Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index by about 50% in people with sleep apnoea (1)
May decrease daytime sleepiness (2)
Weight loss rarely causes total remission of symptoms (2)
SLEEP
Altered sleep position if it triggers sleep apnea. Avoid lying on the back, or in the supine position (2)
References
1) https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/215/management-approach
2) https://www.uptodate.com/contents/obstructive-sleep-apnea-overview-of-management-in-adults
Resources
EXPLANATION TO EVIDENCE PRESENTATION
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Evidence based on guidelines and evidence based Clinical Decision Systems is written in BOLD
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Evidence based on meta analysis or systematic reviews is written in BOLD and CURSIVE
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Evidence based on randomized controlled trials is written in plain font
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Evidence based on observational / cohort studies is written in CURSIVE
Figure: Evidence pyramid