Sleep is an essential part of a woman’s
overall health and well-being with adults needing between seven to nine
hours of sleep each night, but most are not getting it. A recent study
from the National Sleep Foundation in Arlington, VA revealed that the
average woman aged
30-60 sleeps less than seven hours during the workweek, woefully short
of the recommended amount.
Women are more likely to have difficulty
falling and staying asleep than men, and many of the sleep disorders,
like insomnia, are more common in women. Sleep apnea is particularly
interesting because while it affects more men than women, the incidence
among women increases after the age of 50, but the disorder is rarely
discussed.
Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that
is characterized by headaches, fatigue, interrupted breathing patterns,
snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. According to the National
Sleep Foundation, 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, and it affects
one in four American women over the age of 65.
There are several reasons why the
prevalence is higher in men than women: “This disparity can be
attributed to under-diagnosis of sleep apnea in women due to a lower
clinical suspicion, gender differences in the pathophysiology of the
disorder (women may be more protected against upper airway collapse) or
both,” said Francisco Campos-Rodriguez, MD, chair of the
Sleep-Disordered Breathing Unit and Respiratory Department at Valme
University Hospital in Seville, Spain.
In addition to prevalence, there are
other sex differences that characterize sleep apnea. Its symptoms may
present differently in women and men. Men usually complain of “typical”
sleep apnea symptoms which include: snoring, witnessed breathing pauses
during sleep and excessive daytime somnolence. While “women tend to
present with atypical or less-recognized symptoms such as depression,
anxiety, insomnia, headaches and fatigue,” said Campos-Rodriguez. This
disparity may contribute to the decreased disease recognition and
misdiagnosis among women since doctors may be less aware of these
complaints and do not link them with a clinical suspicion of sleep
apnea.
Being overweight is a risk factor for
sleep apnea for both genders. During menopause, many women experience an
increase in abdominal fat which may contribute to the sharp increase in
the prevalence of sleep apnea in older women. Some researchers have
suggested hormonal changes, including the menopausal drop in
progesterone levels as a possible reason for the rise in sleep apnea
cases among older women.
Sleep apnea is connected with long-term
health problems. Studies have found the condition to be associated with
high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. Because the clinical
presentation varies by gender, it is important that women are aware of
the symptoms and address them with their doctors.
Here is a list of possible warning signs for sleep apnea:
- Waking up with a dry mouth/sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Fitful sleep
- Nighttime awakenings
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or forgetfulness
- Moodiness, irritability, depression
There are a number of behavioral
modifications and treatments available for sleep apnea, and the earlier
the problem is addressed, the more effective they are.
