Sleep Disturbances in Women
"I am woman-I am strong-I
am invincible-I am tired!" Fatigue is so common in women that most
of us just accept it. Some seek medical attention when the problem
is just not getting to bed. Many times, however, our fatigue is
from an inability to get to sleep, or insomnia. With us is Dr. Martin
Scharf, a nationally recognized sleep expert. "
Women suffer from insomnia
more frequently than men. Their sleep difficulty gets more frequent
with age and they tend to respond to stress with increasing sleep
difficulty. Also with age, we see an increase in sleep apnea which
tends not to occur in younger women."
Sleep deprivation doesn't
just make you feel tired. It can cause motor vehicle and other accidents.
It can also be an early sign of disease such as depression, thyroid
problems, or hormone imbalances.
Dr. Scharf: "Studies
suggest that whenever estrogen levels decrease, women tend to experience
an increase in sleep difficulty. This is true in the latter part
of the menstrual cycle and it's also true in women who are going
through menopause."
Most sleep problems are
treatable. If they affect you, see your doctor.
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Created: 10/12/2000  - Donnica Moore, M.D.