Healthy Habits: Women and Sleep

According to sleep neuroscientist, Jim Horne, “Women tend to multi-task, and so they use more of their actual brain than men do. Because of that, their sleep need is greater,” Horne continues, who is also the former director of Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Center in Leicestershire, England. Horne’s statements have sparked controversy about sleep and gender across the globe.

Local sleep expert, Dr. Ashraf Elsayegh, MD, is the diagnostic physician at Practical Sleep Solutions (www.PracticalSleep.com) in Orange County and explains that, “Yes, women have more sleep challenges than men… It takes women longer to fall asleep and they are at increased risk for problems like insomnia.

Women also think more about days’ events.” Additionally, women’s reproductive organs require energy and can cause imbalances in sleep habits; such as “menstrual insomnia, pregnancy and menopause.”

Dr. Elsayegh is the diagnostic expert behind Southern California’s first virtual sleep study clinic, Practical Sleep Solutions. The company was founded by Michael Asaly, with the mission of making sleep health solutions financially accessible, quick, and convenient for all. Practical Sleep uses the same FDA-approved testing and treatment options as traditional sleep clinics, but at one tenth of the costs. “Everyone should have access to a good night’s sleep,” shares Asaly. “Sleep is essential to feeling refreshed and rested, and is an indispensable part of a healthy lifestyle for both women and men.”

According to our research, “Women are at a higher risk of long term health problems from sleep deprivation. They are at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, and depression.” More reason for women to be tested for common sleep conditions like sleep apnea. “Our research indicates, it is true that women need more sleep. However another condition affecting women is their spouse. If a woman has a bed partner that has undiagnosed sleep apnea, they get far less sleep on average. Because of the snoring and choking, they take the responsibility to wake up their spouses.”

Understanding the importance of a good night’s sleep, and to help women get a better night’s rest, Michael Asaly, is sharing a free and quick online sleep quiz to see if women or their partners are good candidates for an at-home sleep diagnostic study.

If the quiz results show sleep issues – then the sleep apnea candidate is offered a diagnostic machine which is sent for an at-home test. The convenient at-home test allows candidates to be diagnosed for any sleep conditions in the comfort of their own home.

Afterwards, the at home test data is reviewed by a team of Practical Sleep Solutions board certified sleep professional, with final review by Dr. Elsayegh. Upon review, if test results show that the candidate has sleep apnea, they are personally advised by an expert on practical solutions to take care of their condition.

Practical Sleep Solutions provides a comfortable and easy at home solution for a full night of restful sleep.   Practical Sleep’s top of the line APAP machines are made in the United States and utilize smart card technology which allows patients to monitor the quality of sleep each morning.

“We pride ourselves in empowering our customers to take the reins on their sleep issues by providing the best, most cost effective at-home sleep solution, states Michael Asaly, Founder of Practical Sleep. “In doing so we save our customers the traumatic experience of sleep clinics and thousands of dollars in medical costs, insurance fees, and premium increases.”