Although a lot is shared in common between different genders of the same species, there are a lot of medical conditions that can have different symptoms and complications when looking at examples in both males and females. In the case of humans, this still remains true and is even evident in a condition like sleep apnea.

This condition, which causes sufferers to experience pauses in breathing during sleep, has some unique complications for both men and women. While the underlying problem is the same, it is the impact that changes when you look at cases in both sexes. The good news for anyone suffering from this condition is that sleep apnea study devices can be used to diagnose and develop a treatment for apnea.

If you’re hoping to better understand this condition, then knowing about the gender differences can be eye opening.

Sleep Apnea Health Issues in Females

Women are less likely to suffer from noticeable obstructive sleep apnea, so in many cases, they are not diagnosed with the condition until it has been occurring for an extended period of time. Because women don’t immediately become aware of their sleep apnea health issues, they can start to develop other problems that are linked to fatigue and a lack of meaningful rest.

Women are more likely to experience insomnia, as well as noticeable fatigue during the daytime. Sometimes, sleep deprivation can cause depression in women, and this might not be diagnosed or treated as being related to sleep apnea. Women can also go on to develop an irregular heartbeat, and the chance of stroke may be increased.

Because the rate of diagnosis is lower in women, it is critically important that any risk of apnea is explored using sleep apnea study devices.

Sleep Apnea Health Issues in Men

Studies have found that men are more likely to be diagnosed with sleep apnea than women. Some estimates place the rate at twice the frequency when compared to female study groups. While on the surface, this might indicate that the condition occurs more in men, the reality is actually slightly more complicated than that.

Most medical professionals agree that the reason men are diagnosed more is because they present different symptoms when they are suffering from sleep apnea. For men, they’re more likely to experience shortness of breath that wakes them from sleep, especially when it comes to chronic cases of obstructive sleep apnea.

Men are less likely to report psychological issues, possibly because they don’t equate them to apnea, or because they don’t process these problems in the same way that women do.

Similarities Found in Both Sexes

As most would expect, there are definitely some standard sleep apnea health issues that occur in both men and women. Snoring is one factor that remains the same for both. Apnea can cause snoring that is particularly loud and disturbing, and unusually loud or deep snoring can be a warning sign of apnea. Another telltale sign will be pauses in breathing during sleep, which usually indicate apnea with some certainty. If you or anyone else is displaying symptoms, then make sure that a physician is consulted, so that sleep apnea study devices can be used to obtain a full diagnosis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Because symptoms can be presented differently for the same condition, it is important that physicians always explore the possibility of sleep apnea whenever the symptoms exist. If you believe you or your partner are suffering from sleep apnea, make sure you raise this concern with your physician. While the symptoms are statistically different and weighted for either gender, there are always exceptions. And just because women are less likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t cases that will go against the trend.

Physicians can use sleep apnea study devices like monitoring watches, and more advanced diagnostic machines, allowing them to study sleeping patterns and important vital signs that could indicate sleep apnea. The best medical equipment for testing in the United States comes from VirtuOx, and there are even consumer devices available that don’t require prescriptions. One example is the VPOD Apnea Watch. This is an extremely lightweight wearable device that can track oxygen desaturation, pulse, and oxygen level. It connects to a finger probe for monitoring while sleeping, and weighs less than half a pound. This is one option for people who want to monitor their vitals and sleeping patterns, especially those that have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Remember, only a physician can provide a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan, so whether you’re male or female, and even if your sleep apnea health issues seem outside of the ordinary, make sure you seek professional help for this treatable condition.