Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Women

Abstract

Received November 6, 2010 Revised December 14, 2010 Accepted December 14, 2010 Address for correspondence Hyunwoo Nam, MD Department of Neurology, Boramae Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 41 Boramae-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-707, Korea Tel: +82-2-840-2508 Fax: +82-2-831-2826 E-mail: hwnam@brm.co.kr Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse and obstruction during sleep. These episodes of obstruction are associated with recurrent hypoxemia and decline in efficiency of ventilation. Gender-related differences in sleep and its regulation influence the risk and mechanisms of sleep disorders. In addition, physiologic changes in women’s lives such as pregnancy and menopause are related to OSAS. OSAS is associated with various medical complications and decreased quality of life, so its accurate diagnosis and active management is needed. J Korean Sleep Res Soc 2010;7:32-36