As clocks wound back across the nation on April 6, Australian women are being urged to audit their sleep hygiene and identify potential sleep disorders which can often go undiagnosed.
National Pharmacies’ expert sleep consultants say disruptions to sleep patterns caused by the time change provided an opportunity for Australians, particularly women, to evaluate their sleep habits and seek professional help if needed.
Ashleigh Mingorance, National Pharmacies Health Services Administrator, said daylight savings was known to disturb the body’s internal circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle, negatively impacting both the quantity and quality of sleep.
“While gaining sleep is a positive, the end of daylight savings can make it harder for some to adjust, especially those already struggling with sleep issues,” Ms Mingorance said.
“Women, in particular, are at risk of undiagnosed sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea, because many attribute their fatigue to factors like menopause or the demands of being a working mum, not realising that these symptoms may point to a more serious underlying issue,” she said.
“Additionally, as sleep apnoea is often associated with older, overweight men, women may not recognise themselves as at risk, leading to underdiagnosis.”
Ms Mingorance said women with sleep apnoea might experience symptoms such as insomnia, morning headaches, mood disturbances (like depression and anxiety) and fatigue, rather than the classic symptoms of loud snoring or observed pauses in breathing.
National Pharmacies runs 15 sleep apnoea clinics across South Australia and New South Wales, and while sleep apnoea is increasingly common due to rising obesity rates and more sedentary lifestyles, only 30 per cent of the 2,500 patients assisted at the clinics since 2016 have been women.
Ms Mingorance said women should use the daylight savings time change to assess their sleep hygiene – things like making the bedroom as bright as possible when you first wake up in the morning and switching off screens an hour before bed.
“If you find that your sleep patterns don’t improve or you continue to feel fatigued, it’s important to seek help from sleep experts,” she said.
“Undiagnosed sleep apnoea can lead to serious health complications, including high blood pressure, weight gain, anxiety, depression, and a significantly reduced quality of life.”
“Women must become more aware of the risks, as proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better long-term health.”
For more information, or to take a quick sleep questionnaire, visit the National Pharmacies website HERE.
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