STOLEN SLEEP

Unexplained tiredness is a sign of this common condition

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Missing valuable sleep is difficult at the best of times, but it can be even more frustrating when you think you’ve snoozed a full eight hours and still feel tired in the morning.

There are plenty of reasons for fatigue, but one of the most common causes is obstructive sleep apnoea (or OSA). While it’s more common in men, many women get this condition too, and it can be even harder to detect.

“Once a woman is of menopausal age, the risk of sleep apnoea is then similar to that of a male,” explains Dr Moira Junge, registered health psychologist and CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation.

Women are also less likely to experience symptoms like loud snoring, and may have less noticeable signs such as fatigue, mood changes and insomnia.

“Their symptoms are often more subtle than in men and can be mistaken for stress, menopause or depression,” Dr Junge says.

THE LOWDOWN