Do Men and Women Experience Different Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

The need for sleep is universal – it allows your body to heal, your mind to function at its peak, and hopefully keeps you from feeling cranky and tired when you wake up! Unfortunately, around 20 million Americans do not receive the full benefits of a good night’s sleep due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). At Sleep Easy Dentistry, we want to change this! Our goal is to help patients in the San Antonio area who suffer from OSA improve their quality of life by restoring their sleep.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a severe breathing disorder where breathing stops and starts during sleep. This breathing disruptions occur when the muscles and structures in the back of your throat relax and collapse into your airway, cutting off your air supply. Some people may snort, choke, gasp, or have another breathing disruption over thirty times an hour while sleeping. If you notice that you are fatigued throughout your day no matter how much sleep you get, you’ve been told you snore loudly, or you experience some of these symptoms, you may have OSA.

Who Is at Risk for OSA?
While there are some factors that can increase your risk, anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea. Generally, folks who are overweight, have high blood pressure, or have chronic nasal congestion have a higher risk of developing OSA. Asthma, smoking, diabetes, and being male are also qualities that may increase your odds of having OSA.

Do Men and Women Experience the Same OSA Symptoms?
A 2013 UCLA study demonstrated that women are less likely than men to be diagnosed with OSA. The study found that women with OSA were more likely to report fatigue, anxiety, and depression while men reported gasping for air or loud snoring. Regardless, if you think you suffer from OSA, it is important to get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Because OSA affects the flow of oxygen to your brain, it can lead to serious health problems.

If any of the symptoms listed above sound familiar and you believe you might have OSA, don’t waste another day without getting the sleep you need. To ask our team any questions about OSA or to schedule your visit, call us at (210)202-0692.