Unexplained weight gain, persistent fatigue, and cognitive difficulties prompted Lex Banach, a US-based content creator, to seek answers that ultimately led to a diagnosis of mild sleep apnea. Over six months, Banach gained nearly 3st (18kg), increasing her weight from 11st (72.6kg) to 14st (90.7kg) without any changes to her diet or exercise routine. The sudden weight gain was accompanied by crushing fatigue, brain fog, and uncontrollable food cravings, significantly impacting her daily life.
Initially, medical professionals suggested anxiety and depression, referring her for therapy. However, by 2023, persistent symptoms led to further investigation. A home sleep study revealed that Banach's breathing repeatedly stopped during sleep, with episodes occurring approximately every eight minutes over a single night. This led to a diagnosis of mild sleep apnea, a condition affecting an estimated 84 million Americans.
Sleep apnea is characterized by the relaxation of throat muscles during sleep, causing the airway to narrow or collapse, temporarily interrupting breathing. These interruptions can jolt the body awake, often without the individual's awareness, leading to fragmented sleep. This disruption can strain the cardiovascular system, promote inflammation, and alter hormones regulating appetite and metabolism, increasing the risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.
Banach described experiencing symptoms for years, including loud snoring, gasping for air, morning headaches, and excessive daytime fatigue, which she had previously attributed to general stress. The condition can also contribute to weight gain through biological pathways, including the disruption of hunger-regulating hormones like ghrelin and leptin, leading to increased cravings for high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods. Furthermore, the exhaustion associated with fragmented sleep makes physical activity more challenging. Sleep apnea is also linked to insulin resistance, which can promote fat storage.
"I just didn't feel like me anymore," Banach stated, recalling the gradual but significant changes in her mood and personality. She also noted difficulties with concentration and a feeling of being overwhelmed by simple tasks.
Treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers pressurized air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep, proved effective. Within a year of using the CPAP machine, Banach lost 4st (27kg), bringing her weight down to 10st (63kg). A follow-up sleep study in February 2024 confirmed that her sleep apnea had resolved.
However, after returning her CPAP machine in April 2024, her symptoms began to reappear, along with a gain of 1.4st (9kg) by May 2025. Currently without health insurance, Banach is unable to obtain a new CPAP machine and is managing her symptoms through exercise, meditation, yoga, and a strict sleep routine. She expressed the importance of CPAP machines and her hope for access to treatment, considering it her best option for managing the condition effectively. She is exploring alternative devices and has even considered brand partnerships as a means to acquire a CPAP machine.