In addition to helping control diabetes and obesity, drugs often called GLP-1 agonists can even reverse one other disorder that's closely related to cardiovascular problems: obstructive sleep apnea. This common condition — marked by short pauses in respiration, often accompanied by loud snoring — makes people greater than just grumpy and sleepy in the course of the day. Left untreated, this serious condition increases the probabilities of hypertension, heart attack, and stroke.
What happens during sleep deprivation?
A ten- to 30-second pause in respiration that indicates sleep apnea occurs when the airway in your nose or throat is partially or completely blocked by enlarged tonsils, a big tongue, or an excessive amount of tissue within the airway. robotically closes.
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Treatment of insomnia
In sleep apnea, pauses in respiration occur when the airway is briefly blocked (see “What happens during sleep deprivation?”). First-line treatment is positive airway pressure (PAP), which uses a small bedside machine to push a powerful stream of air through the nose or a mask covering the nose and mouth to maintain the airway open. could
A recent study showed that one among the GLP-1 drugs, triceptide (marketed as Monjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zipbound for obesity) reduced the variety of obstructive sleep apneas. can – a vital measure of the severity of sleep deprivation. Posted on June 21, 2024 New England Journal of Medicinethe year-long study involved 469 individuals with obesity and moderate to severe sleep apnea, a few of whom used PAP machines while they slept. Compared with individuals who received a placebo injection, those treated with tericeptide had a few 59 percent reduction of their apnea-hypopnea index, a measure of how repeatedly an individual breathes during an hour of sleep. Breathing slows or stops. Those taking terceptide lost about 20 percent of their body weight.
Ditch your PAP machine?
“At least once a week, I see people in my clinic who have lost so much weight with an obesity drug that they no longer need to use their PAP machine,” says Dr. Javahri. (Another GLP-1 obesity drug, semaglutide, is marketed as Ozempic for diabetes and Vigovi for weight reduction). “Many patients lost between 50 and 60 pounds, which was enough to completely cure their insomnia.” Although tripeptide will not be approved for the treatment of sleep apnea, it's currently into consideration by the FDA to be used. However, even for those who qualify for a prescription for semaglutide or tirzepatide based in your medical conditions, these drugs could be difficult to acquire as a result of high demand, limited supply, cost, and other aspects.
That said, the growing list of health advantages from GLP-1 agonists (see “Anti-obesity drug reduces cardiovascular problems” in February 2024 Heart Letter) may make each more accessible and inexpensive in the longer term. Dr. Javahri says that if and when terceptide is approved for the treatment of insomnia, sleep medicine clinics will likely provide the drug.
Weight loss has long been really helpful for individuals with sleep apnea who're chubby or obese. After people lose not less than 10% of their initial weight (ie, their weight at diagnosis), insurance firms normally pay for one more sleep study to find out in the event that they have PAP. have improved enough to discontinue use, which individuals often find cumbersome and painful. “But I advise people who use anti-obesity drugs to wait until they reach their goal weight before retesting,” says Dr. Javeri.
Other contributors to sleep apnea
Finally, it's price noting that obesity is just one among the aspects that predispose people to sleep deprivation, even in individuals who are usually not chubby. “Some people are born with physical differences that predispose them to sleep apnea, such as a narrow airway, a thick neck, a large tongue, enlarged tonsils, or A small, drooping chin”. “Smoking also significantly increases the danger of sleep apnea, and alcohol may cause or worsen sleep apnea,” she adds.
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