Shockingly
Womens Health Issues
and
Sleeplessness are Linked!
(Part 2)

Continued from Womens Health Issues (Part 1)

Findings of the severity and increased health risks regarding womens health issues resulting from weight gain, obesity and hypertension and the insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea connection are the focus of this Part 2 page.

Weight Gain – Insomnia and Sleep Apnea
Who would have suspected weight gain as yet another undesirable outcome of insomnia and sleep apnea?

In a 16 year study, researcher found participants who only slept five or less hours at night, were 32% more apt to gain excessive weight and 15% more probable to develop obesity, in comparison with women who slept seven hours each night.

Even 5-10 pounds weight gain can increase the risk of women's health issues, including hypertension and diabetes. Getting less sleep lowers metabolic rate causing us to burn fewer calories. Sleep deprivation also heightens production of the stress hormones that stimulate appetite.

50% of Female Population Has Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A significant study confirms that obstructive sleep apnea is a common occurrence in females affecting 50 percents of women aged 20 to 70, according to a recent study (published in the European Respiratory Journal, August 16, 2012) lead by Dr. Karl A. Franklin of Umea and Uppsala Universities in Sweden.

This study suggests that 50% of women:
* 20% have moderate sleep apnea
* 14% have severe sleep apnea (aged 55 to 70 years) [6% (aged 20 to 70 years)

Obesity and Hypertension
The Obstructive Sleep Apnea extreme connection:
* 80% have hypertension
* 84% are obese

This is an important breakthrough, as the medical community has traditionally considered sleep apnea as a "male" disorder. Another interesting finding: "daytime sleepiness" is not necessarily a symptom of women with sleep apnea, as it is for men. However, as with men, age, obesity and hypertension are.

With regard to diagnosing women with sleep apnea, Dr. Franklin recommends: "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.”

Take charge of your health ... you're worth it!

By discovering how women's health issues impact your body's health, especially insomnia and sleep apnea, you'll be better prepared and motivated to avoid or reduce your risk of serious health conditions such as heart issues, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, depression, excess weight gain and/or obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome and arthritis.
.... knowledge is power!

Go to Womens Health Issues, Part 1 for important information on the interconnection between insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea and women hormones

Go to my Sleep Disorders Blog for more help with Womens Health Issues



Thanks to Pam Reeves for contributing her tranquil bedroom scene above. See more of Pam's beautiful paintings here.