Sleep Apnea In Women: Symptoms And Consequences

Sleep apnea in women is underdiagnosed. When people think of sleep apnea, they usually think of a snoring older man or a middle-aged man. However, this stereotypical image only tells a small part of the story.

Firstly, young people can also suffer from this condition. In addition, it occurs in both men and women. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone with this condition snores. This can make it difficult to diagnose.

Studies show that 30% of the population between the ages of 25 and 70 suffers from this disorder. Experts say that men are eight times more likely to be diagnosed with sleep apnea than women. However, that has nothing to do with the fact that it is more common in men.

Then what’s going on? Why do women with sleep apnea slip through the cracks? That’s actually because this condition manifests itself differently in women. Doctors therefore often confuse it with other diseases.

Women aren’t just underdiagnosed either. Studies also show that this breathing disorder can have much more serious consequences in women than in men.

The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Women

Obstructive (impeding) sleep apnea is the most common type. It has many concrete symptoms. The main symptom is that while you are sleeping, you effectively stop breathing for a few seconds. That happens because the muscles in your throat relax and block your airways.

Most people don’t remember this happening to them. However, they can snore, choke or gasp. This very concrete symptom can give the impression that sleep apnea is easy to diagnose.

Unfortunately, that’s not always true, especially with women. Sleep apnea in women is significantly different than sleep apnea in men. Let’s take a look at how these sleep disorders manifest themselves in women:

• Women usually don’t snore as loudly as men. On average, they don’t make the loud noises that men make while they snore.
• The apnea episodes often last less. That means there is little chance that the woman or her partner will notice.

Thus, the symptoms of sleep apnea in women are often more subtle. Ironically, however, the consequences are usually more serious.

The Effects of Sleep Apnea in Women

• Exhaustion and low energy.
• Memory loss and trouble concentrating.
• Migraine, recurrent headache and dizziness.
• Palpitations, tachycardia and shortness of breath.
• The restless leg syndrome.
• Mood disorders. At the university, Dr. Alison Simms conducted an investigation. It showed that sleep apnea often leads to anxiety and depression.

So what happens when a woman with these symptoms goes to the doctor? She is usually treated over time for the symptoms but not for the underlying cause.

The risk factors of sleep apnea in women

• Obesity, metabolic syndrome, overweight, insulin resistance, a sedentary lifestyle, and so on.

• hypertension.
• Pregnancy. The reason is that during pregnancy the uterus grows. That means the uterus raises the diaphragm. This slightly changes the way the lungs work.
• Become older. Sleep apnea is common in women between the ages of 55 and 70. It usually also coincides with post-menopause.
• Patients with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) are also at slightly greater risk of developing sleep apnea.

Sleep disorders and stroke

In recent years, scientists have investigated sleep apnea in women. This is great news. It means that doctors are more likely to correctly diagnose a female patient who complains of fatigue, mood swings and headaches.

It is crucial that we know the underlying cause of these symptoms. In this way we can help women to take control of their health.

On the other hand, we are also learning more about the consequences of untreated sleep apnea in women. The Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery conducted a survey in 2014. The results showed the link between sleep apnea and stroke in young women.

Therefore, it is extremely important that women who experience these symptoms see a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders. That doctor can rule out sleep apnea.

Treatment with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines is very effective. CPAP machines not only improve patients’ quality of life, they also reduce the risk of stroke or cardiovascular problems.

Finally, it is important that you educate yourself about the risks of sleep apnea. Be aware of the consequences if you leave it untreated. Be aware of the risks associated with insufficient sleep. Also talk to your doctor about this important topic, it could save your life.