Backtable Brief: Diagnosing Sleep Apnea in Women

What if the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in women aren’t the ones doctors are trained to recognize? In this episode, Dr. Megan Durr, an otolaryngologist from the University of California San Francisco, discusses obstructive sleep apnea in women with host Dr. Gopi Shah.  The doctors explore how symptoms in women differ from men, leading to missed diagnoses. They delve into the lack of literature on the topic and the potential for underrepresented groups to be overlooked. The conversation highlights the need for more inclusive screening tools and the long-term cardiovascular risks women face due to untreated sleep apnea. Dr. Durr emphasizes the importance of better diagnosing and treating sleep apnea in women.  TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction  00:18 - Recognizing Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Women  00:36 - Pregnancy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea  01:13 - Menopause and Sleep Disorders  01:59 - Underrepresented Groups and OSA 02:47 - Symptoms and Misdiagnosis in Women  04:40 - Screening Questionnaires and Gender Bias  05:59 - Clinical Observations and Gender Disparities  09:39 - Long-term Effects of OSA in Women  CHECK OUT THE FULL EPISODE BackTable ENT Podcast Episode #182 Understanding OSA in Women with Dr. Megan Durr https://www.backtable.com/shows/ent/podcasts/182/understanding-osa-in-women