Sleep disorders, particularly sleep apnea, are more commonly diagnosed in men. But sleep disorders affect women as well. This disruption of sleep causes poor quality of life and health issues including depression, anxiety and increased chances of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Some of the top sleep disorders affecting women are insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.

Hormones play an important role in a woman’s sleep. During the child-bearing years, reproductive hormones actually appear to offer protection from sleep apnea. During pregnancy, however,  a woman has a much higher risk of sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. Menopause seems to be associated with a high rate of insomnia and sleep disturbances.

Obstructive sleep apnea is particularly dangerous for women. Cardiovascular mortality is high in women with obstructive sleep apnea but treatment appears to improve the outcome for women who suffer from this disorder. Women may not initially be diagnosed with a sleep breathing disorder like obstructive sleep apnea because their symptoms and complaints are different than the classic symptoms seen in male patients.

Men typically present sleep apnea symptoms that include loud snoring, breathing pauses and daytime sleepiness. Women are two or three times less likely to have these classic symptoms. Most women report insomnia, morning headache, fatigue, tiredness, depression and anxiety. Not surprisingly, most of these women are treated for depression or anxiety and not treated for their sleep apnea.

Find out more about obstructive sleep apnea and your treatment options by contacting Columbus sleep apnea dentist Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696.