Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Warning Signs in Men and Women
The symptoms of sleep apnea may vary based on the individual’s overall health and lifestyle. As the symptoms have been clearly proven by experts, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is expected to affect 3% of women and 5% of men in the next 3-5 years. In one health study, people over 19 years of age were found to develop OSA by nearly 2%. This is likely more common than the number of obese or overweight people diagnosed with OSA.
What’s more shocking is that only 15% receives OSA treatment. Another health study shows that African-Americans make up the largest number of individuals prone to OSA than Caucasians. In China, half of its male population makes up the highest percentage of OSA occurrence. This is a very interesting fact since the occurrence is similar to Caucasians.
Here are several groups that are most likely to develop this disease:
Symptoms in Men
The symptoms of sleep apnea in men significantly differ from its causes among girls. Lower testosterone levels often associated with male menopause (“andropause”) contributes a lot to increasing the risks of sleep apnea which affects 10% of adult males. The loud snoring and recurrent breathing are among the common symptoms of sleep apnea among men. These sleep disruptions will likely affect both the individual with OSA and the person sleeping beside him. Testosterone Therapy is done to determine the symptoms of sleep apnea.
In addition, when the testosterone levels are in optimal range, the slow waves brought by deeper sleep patterns can be achieved easily. This evidently means that there will be an improvement in normal sleeping patterns among males. Other common signs in males are: increase of high cortisol levels, insulin sensitivity reduction, low hormone levels and fatigue. Cortisol will rapidly increase due to prolonged sleep apnea or insomnia caused by stress, anxiety or panic attacks. Stable high cortisol levels may result to hormonal patterns that reduce the production of testosterone. It may also result to worsening of fatigue caused by insomnia.
The growth of male hormones is made naturally during the first 80 minutes of sleep. Furthermore, if sleep disruptions happen, the production of hormones will be reduced. Sleep is very essential for glucose control and proper insulin sensitivity. If sleep disruptions occurred in this case, the body will stop utilizing insulin levels and may result to weight increase, diabetes and even death.
Symptoms in Women
Females have more difficulties in sleeping than males. They are more prone to irregular sleep patterns especially during their reproductive years. The medical community continues to conduct series of in-depth researches on the effects, signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in females. What are the signs of sleep apnea among females? These are stress, lifestyle, illnesses and unpredictable changes in hormonal levels. Several factors may affect the sleep patterns of women.
These factors usually include menstrual and pregnancy-related fluctuations caused by the body’s reaction to stress and mood changes. Most women suffer from sleep disturbances during pre-menstruation. The difficulty of sleeping at night and waking up in the morning are all connected to pre-menstrual changes. In fact, pre-menstrual syndrome is one of the most common symptoms among women.
Here are other signs of sleep apnea:
Narcolepsy – This is primarily caused by cataplexy, excessive daytime sleeping and sleep attacks. Cataplexy is characterized by the rapid loss of the body’s muscle tone. Sleep attacks meanwhile are caused by the person’s irresistible urges to sleep. “Sleep-disordered breathing” occurs with sleep disruptions at night, interrupted breathing, daytime sleepiness and even loud snoring. Women over 50 years old are more prone to this sign of sleep apnea. Limb movement disorder (LMD) and restless leg syndrome (RLS) are caused by frequent disturbances during nighttime sleep. LMD causes recurrent leg movements that awaken the person.
RLS usually occurs before the person sleeps and can cause restlessness or uneasiness in the legs. Although this condition is common to older women, its severity still remains unknown. Psychological stress threatens the sleep patterns of females than hormonal changes. A lot of young females reduce their sleeping habits to cope with school and work. In one study, about 30% of career-oriented women have difficulties in sleeping.
This problem has become a common thing among women aged 40 and above. Getting at least seven hours of sleep improves one’s social interaction, concentration, job performance and sense of well-being. Lastly, wakefulness is considered as one of the symptoms of sleep apnea. This often includes trouble in staying or falling asleep regularly.
What’s more shocking is that only 15% receives OSA treatment. Another health study shows that African-Americans make up the largest number of individuals prone to OSA than Caucasians. In China, half of its male population makes up the highest percentage of OSA occurrence. This is a very interesting fact since the occurrence is similar to Caucasians.
Here are several groups that are most likely to develop this disease:
- Men and women over 50 years of age.
- Nearly 80% of obese patients. 40 – 60% of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
- A recent medical research estimated that 80% of NFL players and linemen got used to excessive daytime sleepiness.
Symptoms in Men
The symptoms of sleep apnea in men significantly differ from its causes among girls. Lower testosterone levels often associated with male menopause (“andropause”) contributes a lot to increasing the risks of sleep apnea which affects 10% of adult males. The loud snoring and recurrent breathing are among the common symptoms of sleep apnea among men. These sleep disruptions will likely affect both the individual with OSA and the person sleeping beside him. Testosterone Therapy is done to determine the symptoms of sleep apnea.
In addition, when the testosterone levels are in optimal range, the slow waves brought by deeper sleep patterns can be achieved easily. This evidently means that there will be an improvement in normal sleeping patterns among males. Other common signs in males are: increase of high cortisol levels, insulin sensitivity reduction, low hormone levels and fatigue. Cortisol will rapidly increase due to prolonged sleep apnea or insomnia caused by stress, anxiety or panic attacks. Stable high cortisol levels may result to hormonal patterns that reduce the production of testosterone. It may also result to worsening of fatigue caused by insomnia.
The growth of male hormones is made naturally during the first 80 minutes of sleep. Furthermore, if sleep disruptions happen, the production of hormones will be reduced. Sleep is very essential for glucose control and proper insulin sensitivity. If sleep disruptions occurred in this case, the body will stop utilizing insulin levels and may result to weight increase, diabetes and even death.
Symptoms in Women
Females have more difficulties in sleeping than males. They are more prone to irregular sleep patterns especially during their reproductive years. The medical community continues to conduct series of in-depth researches on the effects, signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in females. What are the signs of sleep apnea among females? These are stress, lifestyle, illnesses and unpredictable changes in hormonal levels. Several factors may affect the sleep patterns of women.
These factors usually include menstrual and pregnancy-related fluctuations caused by the body’s reaction to stress and mood changes. Most women suffer from sleep disturbances during pre-menstruation. The difficulty of sleeping at night and waking up in the morning are all connected to pre-menstrual changes. In fact, pre-menstrual syndrome is one of the most common symptoms among women.
Here are other signs of sleep apnea:
Narcolepsy – This is primarily caused by cataplexy, excessive daytime sleeping and sleep attacks. Cataplexy is characterized by the rapid loss of the body’s muscle tone. Sleep attacks meanwhile are caused by the person’s irresistible urges to sleep. “Sleep-disordered breathing” occurs with sleep disruptions at night, interrupted breathing, daytime sleepiness and even loud snoring. Women over 50 years old are more prone to this sign of sleep apnea. Limb movement disorder (LMD) and restless leg syndrome (RLS) are caused by frequent disturbances during nighttime sleep. LMD causes recurrent leg movements that awaken the person.
RLS usually occurs before the person sleeps and can cause restlessness or uneasiness in the legs. Although this condition is common to older women, its severity still remains unknown. Psychological stress threatens the sleep patterns of females than hormonal changes. A lot of young females reduce their sleeping habits to cope with school and work. In one study, about 30% of career-oriented women have difficulties in sleeping.
This problem has become a common thing among women aged 40 and above. Getting at least seven hours of sleep improves one’s social interaction, concentration, job performance and sense of well-being. Lastly, wakefulness is considered as one of the symptoms of sleep apnea. This often includes trouble in staying or falling asleep regularly.
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