Women can struggle with OSA, study finds
Women can suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) as well as men.
Traditionally associated with males, a new study published in the European Respiratory Journal suggests that hypertension and/or obesity can leave females susceptible to the condition.
Researchers analysed the sleeping habits of around 400 women aged between 20 and 70 and found that in 50 per cent of cases, OSA was present.
This increased to 80 per cent for ladies with hypertension and 84 per cent for obese females.
Lead author Professor Karl Franklin said the high occurrence of sleep apnoea in women is surprising.
"These findings suggest that clinicians should be particularly aware of the association between sleep apnoea and obesity and hypertension in order to identify patients who could also be suffering from the sleeping disorder," Professor Franklin stated.
People who suffer with OSA will find it difficult to get a good night's rest and so may want to get in contact with their doctor to find out what their options are.
Posted by Michael Ewing
