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Kristie and Oprah -- from Dr. Mack Jones
"I feel badly about Oprah's and Kristie's continued struggle with their weight when there is a very good possibility that they both have OSA and do not know it. Treatment with an APAP machine could put an end to the weight struggle not to mention the multitude of other threats to their lives.
The most common cause of obesity today is OSA. Both have reached epidemic proportions. Repeated surges of cortisol with each airway obstruction is a large part of the reason for uncontrolled weight gain. It is part of the brain's emergency response to apnea; the "fight or flight" mechanism put in motion as part of the sympathetic nervous systems response to life threatening situations.
Oprah's feeling of being "unglued" and her "well has run dry" is exactly what happens when your body and brain has been beaten up over many years by repeated apneic events during sleep.
The vicious cycle of OSA causing weight gain and increasing weight worsening the OSA can be stopped in most by treating with an APAP machine.
Both Oprah and Kristie should undergo a sleep study to diagnose OSA. When it is determined that they have the disease, (which I am betting they have) treatment will give them a chance to get their lives back again."
from Dr. Mack Jones
The most common cause of obesity today is OSA. Both have reached epidemic proportions. Repeated surges of cortisol with each airway obstruction is a large part of the reason for uncontrolled weight gain. It is part of the brain's emergency response to apnea; the "fight or flight" mechanism put in motion as part of the sympathetic nervous systems response to life threatening situations.
Oprah's feeling of being "unglued" and her "well has run dry" is exactly what happens when your body and brain has been beaten up over many years by repeated apneic events during sleep.
The vicious cycle of OSA causing weight gain and increasing weight worsening the OSA can be stopped in most by treating with an APAP machine.
Both Oprah and Kristie should undergo a sleep study to diagnose OSA. When it is determined that they have the disease, (which I am betting they have) treatment will give them a chance to get their lives back again."
from Dr. Mack Jones
Views: 172
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steven Y. Park, MD on
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I agree. I wrote to the Oprah producers about this and even sent them a copy of my book. I'm not holding my breath about a response, since I'm sure they get thousands of suggestions about her weight. As long as she's focused mainly on her thyroid problem, she won't get anywhere. What we know is that obstructive sleep apnea and the resulting stress response (the elevated cortisol levels that Dr. Jones mentions) can lower thyroid functioning, making you clinically hypothyroid.
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Permalink Reply by Mack D Jones, MD, SAAN on
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Right on. The fact that she has hypothyroidism supports the likelihood that she has OSA. I wrote to her producers more than once also, but got no response. (I didn't expect a reply, but I hoped the message would at least get passed on to her) I think someone with a medical background should be hired to check her e-mail. The diagnosis and recommended treatment for her weight problems and other issues is sitting in her e-mail box completely ignored. What does this say about the state of our current technology?
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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Ok, about to go way too far for a dude to admit, but I've watched Oprah enough times to know she's pretty tight with Dr. Oz, the physician that appears pretty regularly on her show. I believe he's even discussed apnea and sleep problems on the show. What about reaching out to him to get to her?
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Permalink Reply by Cynthia Licharowicz on
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I didnt know Hypothyroidism was linked to OSA. I have that too. Well and OSA apparently. I just didnt know, wow. thanks for the insight
I knew my weight gain was linked....now to both. thanks again.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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I don't watch much TV and don't watch Oprah, in fact, I haven't the slightest idea who Kristie is (but then I haven't been to a movie in years and don't watch DVDs on our TV either). Nor do I know who this Dr Light is. But in light of Oprah's promotion of Dr Phil - I have my reservations about Dr Light.
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I think that "Kristie" is actually Kirstie Alley, if I am not mistaken...
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Permalink Reply by Martha G. Lee on
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I have severe OSA. I use a CPAP every night set on 12. I have a weight problem and hypothroidsim. I have lost using weight Watchers, but always gain back. I wish I could lose weight and keep it off. So even if Oprah used a CPAP she still may not be able to get the weight off and keep it off.
I am under a lot of Stress because my husband has Alzheimer's. The stress and depression cause me to want to eat all the time.
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Permalink Reply by Jim Nadolny, BS, CRT on
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I think that Oprah should at least have a sleep study done. Maybe she has, and just fell into that large group of noncompliant patients who are in denial. What a boost it would be to OSA awareness if she were diagnosed, treated and lost a ton of weight (keeping it off) by using her cpap. In my experience, I have seen multiple patients regain their energy and loose weight due to compliant cpap use. Dr Jones and Dr Park both seem to understand well enough the implications of such weight loss to ones health. I consider myself a trenches guy, down at he equipment end of things. I would like both of these Doctors to see my blog http://cpapcritic.com and comment on the content. I feel that my posts help new cpap users to understand the equiptment better, and maybe helping them to become more compliant with their therapy.
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Permalink Reply by Margaret Epperson on
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I have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea over five years ago now. I have used my CPAP machine all those years and it has not helped me to lose any weight period. If anything I have gained. I exercise and have went to nutritionist and dietician and they all say I eat right. So I doubt if this will help Oprah or Kristy to lose weight. Well if anyone can come up with a better way to help lose weight let me know.
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Thanks for the heads up. I'll check it out.
Jim Nadolny said:I think that Oprah should at least have a sleep study done. Maybe she has, and just fell into that large group of noncompliant patients who are in denial. What a boost it would be to OSA awareness if she were diagnosed, treated and lost a ton of weight (keeping it off) by using her cpap. In my experience, I have seen multiple patients regain their energy and loose weight due to compliant cpap use. Dr Jones and Dr Park both seem to understand well enough the implications of such weight loss to ones health. I consider myself a trenches guy, down at he equipment end of things. I would like both of these Doctors to see my blog http://cpapcritic.com and comment on the content. I feel that my posts help new cpap users to understand the equiptment better, and maybe helping them to become more compliant with their therapy.
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thanks for the correction!
Ellen Lee said:I think that "Kristie" is actually Kirstie Alley, if I am not mistaken...
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I considered that some time ago, but foolishly thought the direct route was the best. Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try.
Mike said:Ok, about to go way too far for a dude to admit, but I've watched Oprah enough times to know she's pretty tight with Dr. Oz, the physician that appears pretty regularly on her show. I believe he's even discussed apnea and sleep problems on the show. What about reaching out to him to get to her?
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