Sleep Apnea and the Gender Difference

Sleep apnea is a common disorder where one’s breathing involuntarily and repeatedly starts and stops during sleep. There are three different types of sleep apnea with separate root causes:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – the most common form that occurs when the throat muscles relax.
• Central Sleep Apnea – occurs when the brain does not send the correct signals to the muscles that control breathing.
• Mixed Sleep Apnea – occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea can have serious health consequences including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, pregnancy complications, metabolic disorders, and cognitive and behavior disorders, and higher risks for car crashes and work-related accidents. Central sleep apnea has health consequences associated with heart failure, opioid use, strokes, and brain injuries.

Signs and Symptoms

Commons signs:

• Reduced or absent breathing
• Frequent loud snoring
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Restless sleep

Common symptoms:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue
• Decrease in attention, concentration, motor skills, and verbal and visuospatial memory
• Dry mouth or headaches when waking
• Decreased libido
• Waking up often during the night to use the bathroom
• Irritability due to fatigue
• Loud snoring followed by a period of silence

Did you know that sleep apnea in women is different compared to men?

Sleep Apnea in Women Compared to Men

Sleep apnea in women differs from men due to their individual set of hormones. Women’s sleep cycles are typically shorter and women deal with sleep deprivation differently compared to men. However, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in women is similar to men after women experience menopause.

Studies have shown that women are less likely to be diagnosed with sleep apnea because of the subtle symptoms they experience, therefore many go undiagnosed. The signs in a female may not be as obvious as it is for men. It is commonly mistaken for depression, hypertension, hypochondria, and other disorders. Women experience subtle symptoms including:

• More insomnia
• Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
• Trouble functioning during the day
• Morning headaches and moodiness
• Anxiety
• Sleep disruption

If you think you are potentially suffering from sleep apnea, please call Health Connection at 404-778-7777.

The Emory Sleep Center provides state-of-the-art care for all types of sleep disorders, with the goal of providing expert service in a relaxed environment with comprehensive diagnostics and therapeutics. We offer all forms of sleep diagnostic testing, as well as traditional and cutting-edge therapies.