OSA in Women

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder found in both men and women. While women are less likely to have sleep apnea, they may be more affected by the condition than men; this is all the more a problem because women are less likely to be diagnosed than men (since OSA has traditionally been considered a male disease and has been downplayed in women as a result). In a recent paper, we discuss the importance of paying attention to OSA in women, as it may well be more of a problem than we realize. According to a recent Harvard study by Gabriela Roca, MD, et al, OSA is an independent risk factor for heart disease in women, but not men.

Anecdotally, we have found that OSA symptoms vary considerably between men and women. OSA symptoms in men seem to be limited to daytime sleepiness and snoring. Whereas in women, the symptoms are varied and atypical. Many women report symptoms that are more physical and psychological than what has been seen in men. For example, women with sleep apnea also experience daytime sleepiness, but that symptom does not stand out for them the same way it does for males and is often overshadowed by the other array of symptoms and feelings of being unwell.