We know that obesity increases your risk for sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), both of which can make it tough to rest easy. But it now appears it's a two-way street.

Poor sleep habits also contribute to becoming obese.

A study in the journal BMC Public Health found that the amount of sleep you get (too little or too much) and the quality of your sleep (you wake up frequently or don't get deep sleep) increase your risk for obesity.

In fact, the risk is 41% higher among those with poor sleep patterns vs. those with healthy ones.

This happens, in part, because sleep disturbances cause the release of weight-promoting hormones such as insulin, ghrelin, and cortisol.

If you sleep more than nine or less than 6.5 hours nightly, experience breathing problems while trying to sleep, wake up frequently (even if it’s just to pee), or have acid reflux, work with your doctor to determine if some physical problem (urinary issues, GERD, sleep apnea) is the cause.

Here are some more tips:

• Explore stress/anxiety/depression issues that may disturb your sleep, and find treatment.

• Evaluate your bedtime habits. For instance, are you in bed and on your phone or watching a screen? That needs to stop.

• Make sure to get 30-60 minutes of exercise daily; you'll be amazed how much that improves your sleep.

• Don't eat anything within three hours of bedtime.

Plus, if you're becoming obese or are obese, you may benefit from therapeutic plasma exchange to help overcome chronic inflammation and associated health conditions that can disturb your sleep — and shorten your lifespan.