Gained Weight and Feeling Extremely Tired Every Day? Sleep Apnea Could Be the Reason
Loud snoring, repeated pauses in breathing during sleep and persistent daytime sleepiness can be signs of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type. Excess body weight can increase OSA risk, and poor sleep can make healthy weight management harder. A questionnaire such as STOP-Bang can flag risk, but diagnosis requires a proper medical assessment and sleep testing. [2]
Disturbed sleep can affect appetite regulation and may contribute to weight gain, while excess body weight can further narrow the upper airway and raise the risk or severity of obstructive sleep apnea. [3]
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing repeatedly becomes reduced or stops during sleep. The interruptions can fragment sleep and reduce oxygen levels, leaving you unrefreshed even after spending enough hours in bed. [2]
The main types are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and mixed/complex sleep apnea. OSA occurs when the muscles in the throat narrow or close during sleep, causing surrounding tissue to press on your windpipe and block air movement. OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea. [2]
Central sleep apnea is different: breathing pauses occur because the brain does not consistently send the signals needed to breathe. It can be associated with some conditions such as heart failure and stroke. [3]
Could your tiredness and snoring be sleep apnea?
You cannot confirm sleep apnea from symptoms alone, but certain patterns should prompt a medical assessment. [2, 4]
| Signs during sleep | Signs you may notice during the day |
|---|---|
| Loud or frequent snoring | Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue |
| Breathing that repeatedly stops and starts | Morning headache or dry mouth |
| Gasping, choking or snorting during sleep | Poor concentration, slower reactions or memory problems |
| Restless or fragmented sleep | Unrefreshed sleep |
Sleep apnea is concerning as some people do not realise they stop breathing at night until a partner or family member notices.
Who is more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea?
OSA can affect people of different body sizes and ages. Risk rises when one or more factors narrow the airway or make it more likely to collapse during sleep. [2, 5]
- Excess body weight or obesity
- Older age
- Male gender, although women can also develop OSA and risk changes after menopause
- High blood pressure or certain cardiometabolic conditions
- Smoking and alcohol use
- Family history of sleep apnea or anatomical features such as enlarged tonsils, neck or tongue
Importantly, weight gain is not proof of sleep apnea, and sleep apnea is not the only cause of persistent tiredness. Therefore ongoing fatigue deserves proper assessment.
What is the STOP-Bang questionnaire?
Doctors often use the STOP-Bang questionnaire when they suspect a patient they are seeing might be at risk of having OSA. STOP-Bang is an eight-item screening questionnaire used to estimate the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea.
It asks about Snoring, Tiredness, Observed breathing pauses, high blood Pressure, Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference and Gender. When filling out the STOP-Bang questionnaire, a person receives one point for each symptom or risk factor, for a maximum of eight points. [6]
| STOP-Bang item | Question / factor |
|---|---|
| S – Snoring | Do you snore loudly? |
| T – Tired | Do you often feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the day? |
| O – Observed | Has anyone observed you stop breathing, choke or gasp during sleep? |
| P – Pressure | Do you have or are you treated for high blood pressure? |
| B – BMI | Is BMI above 35 kg/m²? |
| A – Age | Are you older than 50? |
| N – Neck | Is neck circumference large (about 40 cm/16 inch or more in the general scoring tool)? |
| G – Gender | Male sex is included as one scoring item. |
For the general population, the official tool classifies 0-2 “yes” answers as low risk, 3-4 as intermediate risk and 5-8 as high risk, with additional high-risk combinations. The STOP-Bang questionnaire is a screening aid, not a diagnostic test. [5, 6]
Do not self-diagnose from a score. A higher STOP-Bang score means you should discuss your risk with a healthcare professional. Malaysia’s Ministry of Health guideline recommends STOP-Bang for adults with clinical suspicion of OSA, while confirming that diagnosis requires a sleep study rather than symptoms or a questionnaire alone. [4]
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
A healthcare professional will review your symptoms, sleep pattern, medical history and risk factors. If sleep apnea is suspected, an overnight sleep study called a polysomnography may be arranged to measure breathing, oxygen levels and other sleep-related signals. [6]
The sleep study helps confirm whether sleep apnea is present, identify the type and which factors impact your quality of sleep. This matters because treatment should be matched to the individual rather than based only on snoring or tiredness. [7]
I suspect that I have sleep apnea. What do I do now?
For starters, you would want to seek medical care to get a proper diagnosis. The treatment of sleep apnea depends on the type and severity of sleep apnea, symptoms, anatomy and other health conditions. Therefore a proper diagnosis will help in determining the treatment that suits you and your condition best.
Arrange a medical assessment if you have repeated loud snoring plus daytime sleepiness, witnessed pauses in breathing, gasping or choking during sleep, or persistent fatigue that is affecting work, driving, concentration or daily function.
If you are so sleepy that you may fall asleep while driving or operating machinery, do not drive. Seek medical advice promptly. Severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or other acute symptoms require urgent medical attention.
What are lifestyle modifications that I can do if I have sleep apnea?
Below are some lifestyle modifications that can be done to complement the treatment of sleep apnea. [8]
- Healthy weight management with regular physical activity
- Limiting alcohol and stopping smoking
- Changing sleep position (not on your back) to avoid putting pressure on your airways
Speak with a CARiNG pharmacist
If you are concerned about persistent tiredness, medicines that may affect sleep, weight-related health risks or whether your symptoms need further medical assessment, speak with a CARiNG pharmacist.
Find your nearest CARiNG Pharmacy → Explore CARiNG Pharmacy Services →Useful resources
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general health education and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned about sleep apnea or persistent daytime sleepiness, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions about sleep apnea
Can sleep apnea make you gain weight?
Sleep apnea does not automatically cause weight gain, but poor-quality sleep can affect appetite, energy and activity. At the same time, excess body weight is an important risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, so the relationship can become a cycle. A medical assessment is more useful than assuming weight change has one cause. [4, 9, 10]
Why am I still tired after sleeping for 7 to 8 hours?
Sleep duration is only one part of healthy sleep. Repeated breathing interruptions caused by sleep apnea can fragment sleep, so you may spend enough time in bed but still wake unrefreshed. Since other medical and sleep conditions can cause the same symptom, persistent tiredness should be assessed. [4]
Does snoring always mean sleep apnea?
No. Many people snore without having sleep apnea. Snoring becomes more concerning when it is loud or frequent and occurs with witnessed breathing pauses, gasping, choking or excessive daytime sleepiness. [4]
Can thin people have sleep apnea?
Yes. Excess body weight increases OSA risk, but sleep apnea can also be related to airway anatomy, age, family history and other health factors. People who are not overweight can still develop OSA. [4]
Is STOP-Bang enough to diagnose sleep apnea?
Is untreated sleep apnea dangerous?
View references 11 sources
- CARiNG Pharmacy. Gaining Weight & Feeling Extremely Tired Daily? You Might Be Having This Condition! Original CARiNG article used as the source for this update. Source
- Cleveland Clinic. Sleep apnea: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 15 January 2025 [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Central sleep apnea: symptoms and causes. Rochester (MN): Mayo Clinic; [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
- Ministry of Health Malaysia. Management of obstructive sleep apnoea: quick reference for healthcare providers. Putrajaya: Ministry of Health Malaysia; 2023 [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Sleep apnea: causes and risk factors. Bethesda (MD): National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; 9 January 2025 [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
- Pacheco D. STOP-Bang score: understanding your sleep apnea risk. Seattle (WA): Sleep Foundation; 11 June 2026 [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
- Cleveland Clinic. Sleep study (polysomnography): what it is, what to expect, types and results. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 10 February 2023 [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Sleep apnea: treatment. Bethesda (MD): National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; 9 January 2025 [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Health risks of overweight and obesity. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; May 2023 [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
- Cleveland Clinic. Visceral fat: what it is and how to get rid of it. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 22 August 2025 [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Sleep apnea: what is sleep apnea? Bethesda (MD): National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; 9 January 2025 [cited 1 September 2026]. Source
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