Hormonal
Women with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experience similar or worse health consequences, including cardiovascular risk and cognitive impairment, compared to men despite having lower disease severity (lower AHI).
If you are a woman experiencing fatigue, insomnia, or mood disturbances, do not dismiss them just because your sleep study shows a 'mild' Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Women often suffer significant health consequences and cognitive impairment at lower AHI levels than men. Advocate for treatment based on your quality of life and symptom burden, not just the severity score.
the limited data available suggest that although the prevalence and severity of OSA may be lower in women than in men, the consequences of the disease are at least the same, if not worse for comparable degrees of severity.
Why this rating
Based on observational cohort studies and cross-sectional data; randomized controlled trials specifically for women are limited.
Source
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Women: Specific Issues and Interventions
Alison Wimms et al. · BioMed Research International · 2016
DOI 10.1155/2016/1764837
More from this paper
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment significantly improves quality of life, mood, and sleepiness in women with moderate-to-severe OSA, with compliance rates comparable to men.Good
- Menopause increases the risk and severity of OSA in women due to the loss of protective hormonal effects (progesterone) and changes in fat distribution.Good
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