Lex Banach, a 29-year-old Wisconsin content creator, reported that over six months, she had jumped from 160 pounds to 200 pounds. She was battling relentless fatigue, brain fog, and food cravings.
Initial diagnosis pointed towards the symptoms being consistent with depression and anxiety, advising her to consider seeing a therapist. However, a medical revelation in 2023 revealed that she had gained weight as a direct result of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a common ailment, affecting about 83 million Americans. It is linked with severe diseases like weight gain, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. Banach looked through her own medical history, as she told the Daily Mail, and realized that the symptoms and signs were always there.
Sleeping 8 hours doesn’t always mean you got 8 hours of sleep.
If you have sleep apnea…
Your brain may wake you hundreds of times each night just enough to reopen your airway.
You usually won’t remember it.
You’ll just wonder why you’re always tired.
Sleep isn’t measured by…
— Doc_Fargo (@forgedmedicine) August 2, 2026
According to the Wisconsin woman, symptoms such as constant fatigue, withdrawal from friends, and sudden outbursts toward her partner accumulated so slowly that they were difficult to spot. What she initially brushed off as standard pandemic stress, hindsight reveals to have been critical red flags.
A sleep study that was conducted at her residence revealed that in a single night, she had stopped breathing 68 times- once every eight minutes. Despite this severity, doctors had termed her case as ‘mild’.
Banach revealed that she was prescribed a CPAP machine, which dramatically improved her energy levels. The Wisconsin woman also noted a positive impact on her mood in just weeks. Within a year of this prescribed treatment, she lost about 60 pounds. A follow-up sleep study would show that her sleep apnea had resolved.
I agree, sleep apnea gets missed for years because people just assume tired is normal.
— Craig Brockie (@CraigBrockie) August 2, 2026
A lack of coverage from her insurance led to her returning the CPAP machine, which caused her symptoms to creep back. She gained 20 pounds. However, that has not deterred Banach from looking at lifestyle solutions to managing the illness.
Her regimen includes a strict sleep schedule, exercise, yoga, and meditation. However, she has been vocal about her disappointment with the United States Healthcare System. It stems from her inability to access the cure that is best for her ailment despite having insurance.
Sleep apnea occurs when relaxed throat muscles repeatedly block the airway during sleep, dropping oxygen levels and briefly interrupting breathing. Experts warn that this stress on the body triggers inflammation and disrupts hormonal balance, significantly increasing cardiovascular risks.
Disclaimer: Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available.
