Menopause and Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep disordered breathing (SDB). OSA is characterized by recurrent collapses of the upper airway during sleep and it is associated with intermittent hypoxia, sleep fragmentation, surges of sympathetic tone, and oxidative stress, finally resulting in increased cardiovascular risk and excessive daytime sleepiness. The prevalence of OSA has been reported to be 22% among men and 17% among women [1]. Women, though, are less likely to report typical OSA symptoms such as loud snoring, excessive sleepiness, and choking during sleep.

Source: Maturitas - March 1, 2019 Category: Primary Care Authors: Elisa Perger, Paola Mattaliano, Carolina Lombardi Source Type: research