Sleep and Women

• More than 100 million Americans of all ages regularly fail to get a good night of sleep. This number is more than one-third of the US population. At least 84 percent of sleep disorders lead to a lowered quality of life and reduced personal health. Some sleep disorders can be life threatening.
• Loud snoring can be a sign of something seriously wrong with patient breathing during one-third of their life. Organ systems can be stressed everyday during sleep.
• An estimated 10% of 30% of adults snore. For 5%, extremely loud nightly snoring is the first indication of a potentially life threatening disorder: obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
• Women are twice as likely as men to have difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep. Physical factors, including arthritis, disorders of breathing or hot flashes may disturb sleep and threaten female health. Stress, depression, fear or other strong emotions may also disrupt sleep.
• Premenstrual symptoms, such as abdominal cramping, irritability, food cravings and emotional changes can also directly affect women’s sleep. While these sleep problems generally disappear a few days after menstruation begins, some women who suffer more severe disturbances, increased tension and irritability may experience lingering sleep problems and even chronic insomnia.
• Several factors influence the quality of sleep in postmenopausal women: psychosocial environment, physical health and emotional state. The connection between worry and insomnia may be obvious, but, at times, subtle signs and concerns can be less visible in their influence on tension and insomnia.
• Insomnia is one of the most common symptoms of depression at any age. Getting professional help and treatment for the depression can often solve the insomnia problem.