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Sleep Disorders

  • Clinical Updates in Women's Health Care CU
  • July 2012

ABSTRACT: Sleep, like nutrition and exercise, is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. Numerous studies have demonstrated associations between sleep disturbance and a broad range of medical conditions, including cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, and psychiatric disorders. The quality of sleep and the extent of daytime sleepiness are markers of both mental and physical health. Overall, women have a greater risk of sleep disorders than men, and reports of sleep disturbance are more prevalent among women than men across the life span. Hormonal changes throughout the life span appear to influence a woman’s ability to get a good night’s sleep. This monograph provides a review of the current knowledge of sleep physiology and sleep disorders in women.

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Fig. 1. Regulation of sleep and wake: circadian and homeostatic processes.

Fig. 1. Regulation of sleep and wake: circadian and homeostatic processes.

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Fig. 2. A clinical decision algorithm for patients who report daytime sleepiness or poor sleep.

Fig. 2. A clinical decision algorithm for patients who report daytime sleepiness or poor sleep.

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Fig. 3. Algorithm for the treatment of symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

Fig. 3. Algorithm for the treatment of symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

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Fig. 4. Mallampati classification. A patient is asked to open her mouth without phonation and protruding her tongue. The Mallampati class is assigned as follows: Class 1: Tonsils, pillars, fossa, uvula, and palate are all visible. Class 2: The uvula, soft palate, and part of the fossa are visible. Class 3: The uvula alone or the stalk of it is visible. Class 4: Only hard palate is visible.

Fig. 4. Mallampati classification. A patient is asked to open her mouth without phonation and protruding her tongue. The Mallampati class is assigned as follows: Class 1: Tonsils, pillars, fossa, uvula, and palate are all visible. Class 2: The uvula, soft palate, and part of the fossa are visible. Class 3: The uvula alone or the stalk of it is visible. Class 4: Only hard palate is visible.

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Fig. 5. Polysomnogram of a patient with obstructive sleep apnea. The absence of activity in the airflow channel with preserved activity in the chest and abdomen effort belts is associated with a desaturation in the oximetry channel and is terminated by an arousal in the electroencephalographic channels.

Fig. 5. Polysomnogram of a patient with obstructive sleep apnea. The absence of activity in the airflow channel with preserved activity in the chest and abdomen effort belts is associated with a desaturation in the oximetry channel and is terminated by an arousal in the electroencephalographic channels.

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Table 1. Treatment Options for Restless Legs Syndrome

Table 1. Treatment Options for Restless Legs Syndrome

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Table 2. Pharmacologic Therapies for Insomnia

Table 2. Pharmacologic Therapies for Insomnia

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