Weight loss could cure sleep apnea

September 30, 2009 Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person's breathing stops for short periods of time. It's not only annoying, but it can cause dangerous health problems.

People with weight issues are more likely to have the disorder.

A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds those who lost an average of 24 pounds, or about 10 percent of their body weight, were three times more likely to stop their apnea.

Those who didn't have complete remission still had their episodes of severe apnea cut in half.