Understanding the Link Between Insomnia and Sleep Apnea in Women

You may already be familiar with insomnia, but did you know that insomnia can be one of the signs of sleep apnea? Yes — insomnia not only causes difficulty sleeping but is also one of the symptoms of sleep apnea in women.

Insomnia and sleep apnea are two common types of sleep disorder in women. Studies show that although the two can occur independently, these two types of sleep disorder can also influence each other.

Unfortunately, the connection between insomnia and sleep apnea is still often overlooked, even though, if left unchecked, these sleep disorders can hinder activities and cause health problems that are serious.

Therefore, it is important to understand the relationship between insomnia and sleep apnea so you can take the right action to address those sleep problems.

The Difference Between Insomnia and Sleep Apnea

To see the relationship between insomnia and sleep apnea, you first need to understand the difference between insomnia and sleep apnea.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard for a person to fall asleep or stay asleep long enough. Insomnia can be caused by many factors, such as stress, anxiety disorders, depression, or certain medical conditions.

Meanwhile, sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes a person to suddenly stop breathing during sleep. This pause in breathing is caused by a blockage in the airway, lasts about 10 seconds, and recurs continuously throughout the night.

The most basic difference between insomnia and sleep apnea is that insomnia is a sleep disorder that occurs while the sufferer is awake, whereas sleep apnea occurs once the sufferer is already asleep.

Both insomnia and sleep apnea both cause the effect of sleep deprivation (lack of sleep), which can make sufferers feel unrefreshed on waking, excessively sleepy during the day, and unable to concentrate.

The Link Between Insomnia and Sleep Apnea

A research journal published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that 50% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also experience insomnia. The study's results also showed that people with OSA and insomnia have worse sleep quality than the group with OSA alone.

So, does insomnia cause sleep apnea?

Yes, but not directly — insomnia and sleep apnea are sleep disorders with different causes that are nonetheless interconnected. Insomnia can cause fatigue and increased airway resistance that worsens the condition of sleep apnea.

On the other hand, people with insomnia who also have sleep apnea wake more easily and struggle to stay asleep for long, because the brain perceives the breathing pauses during sleep as a threat and danger. As a result, the brain prevents the body from sleeping so that breathing does not stop.

Research found that the combined sleep disorder of OSA and insomnia is found more often in women. Not only that, the level of heart disease risk experienced is also higher — 19.4% compared with 8.6% for the group with OSA alone without insomnia.

Symptoms of Insomnia and Sleep Apnea

Insomnia and sleep apnea can affect women's sleep quality and overall health. The symptoms of insomnia and sleep apnea in women have different characteristics and often go unnoticed by sufferers. Some symptoms to watch for include:

Insomnia Symptoms in Women

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking easily at night
• Difficulty getting back to sleep after waking
• Waking too early
• Feeling tired and lacking energy
• Sleepiness during the day
• Difficulty concentrating
• Emotional and easily angered

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Women

• Snoring, whether soft or loud
• Stopping breathing or shallow breaths during sleep
• Frequent waking at night
• Sleepiness during the day
• Morning headaches
• Sensitive and easily offended
• Difficulty concentrating

If not treated promptly, these symptoms can trigger more serious health problems. Therefore, it is important to check your health condition and promptly address both insomnia and sleep apnea. You can also undergo polysomnography (a sleep quality test) first to see your AHI value and your body's overall condition during sleep.

How to Overcome Insomnia in Women

There are many factors that cause insomnia in women, and although curing insomnia is not exactly easy, you can try the following ways to overcome it.

Practicing Sleep Hygine

Start going to sleep and waking at the same time every day, even on weekends. By setting a consistent sleep schedule, the body more easily recognizes when it's time to sleep and when to be active, so the body finds it easier to sleep at night.

Avoid Foods Containing Caffeine

Avoid drinks or foods containing caffeine or alcohol at night, and avoid eating or drinking too much before bed.

Make the Bedroom as Comfortable as Possible

Make sure your bedroom is comfortable and dark, free from noise or light disturbances. You can also set the room temperature to around 22^o C so it's cooler and more comfortable for sleeping.

Practicing Relaxation Techniques

Try deep breathing techniques, meditation, or yoga to help relieve stress and anxiety. You can also calm yourself and replace unhealthy thoughts that disturb sleep with a more positive mindset.

Taking Medication

There are some medications that can help with insomnia, but it's best to consult a doctor first before taking them.

About CPAP Therapy for Women

Terapi Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the best solution for treating sleep apnea in women. This therapy uses a CPAP machine that delivers pressurized air continuously to the airway to prevent narrowing or blockage of the airway.

CPAP therapy in women is safe and effective for treating sleep apnea, but new users may need adjustment and adaptation. It's best to use a CPAP therapy device specifically intended for women so you're more comfortable and adapt faster.

ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset For Her is the best CPAP therapy machine, equipped with the Autoset For Her algorithm that is more sensitive in detecting the airway narrowing commonly experienced by women.

In addition, the AirSense 10 Autoset For Her is also supported by a wireless connection and various flagship features such as auto-ramp, smart start, dan climate control that can make therapy more comfortable and effective.

Conclusion

Insomnia and sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder but one that cannot be ignored. Prompt treatment can help sufferers regain the quality sleep that is important for overall body health.

If you need the ResMed AirSense 10 Autoset For Her to treat sleep apnea, you can visit Resindo Medika in South Jakarta or through an online marketplace such as Tokopedia, Shopee, atau Blibli.

That's all the information about the link between insomnia and sleep apnea in women; we hope it helps.