Neurologic Disorders in Women and Sleep
1Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, McNair Campus, 7200 Cambridge Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Neurologic Clinics
|April 8, 2023
Summary
Sleep disorders in women are underdiagnosed due to gender bias. This review highlights the unique challenges and features of sleep disorders in women with neurologic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Women's Health
Background:
- Sleep disorders are underrecognized and underdiagnosed in women, often due to gender bias in research.
- Symptoms of common sleep disorders are frequently missed in women and may be further overlooked in those with neurologic disorders.
- A bidirectional relationship exists between sleep and neurologic disorders, necessitating awareness in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review available data on sleep disorders in women with neurologic disorders.
- To discuss the distinctive features and presentation of these sleep disorders.
- To emphasize the critical need for awareness regarding sleep disorders in women with neurologic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing data.
- Analysis of studies focusing on sleep disorders in women.
- Examination of research concerning women with co-occurring neurologic and sleep disorders.
Main Results:
- Sleep disorders in women with neurologic disorders present unique challenges.
- Overlapping symptoms can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses.
- Gender bias contributes significantly to underrecognition and underdiagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Increased awareness of sleep disorders in women with neurologic conditions is crucial.
- Recognizing distinctive features can improve diagnosis and management.
- Addressing gender bias in research is essential for accurate characterization and treatment.
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