For people who are overweight or obese, losing weight helps to relieve sleep apnea. Even a small amount of weight loss can help, and a larger amount of weight loss often cures the condition completely. For years, doctors have had anecdotal evidence that weight loss relieved or cured sleep apnea and have advised their patients with sleep apnea to lose weight. There were few studies, though, to show whether the recommended amount of weight loss—about 10% of body weight—was enough to make a difference. A recent study, however, of 264 overweight or obese adults showed that those who lost an average of 24 lbs showed significant improvement in sleep apnea symptoms, and some were totally cured of the disorder.