Miranda Chappel-Farley’s day started like any other ordinary day. As a college sophomore, her main concerns revolved around passing her classes and attending her sorority meetings. One afternoon, feeling homesick, she decided to make the 45-minute drive to visit her family. “The rural back roads had minimal traffic,” Chappel-Farley remembers. “As I drove, I felt my eyelids growing heavy.” To combat drowsiness, she rolled down the windows and played music from her favorite band, Blink-182. However, upon speaking with her family later, she realized their conversations were disjointed and nonsensical. It dawned on her that she hadn’t reached home yet.
Chappel-Farley was abruptly awakened when her car veered off course. She had briefly dozed off while driving, a perilous moment fortunately mitigated by the deserted road. “Although no accident occurred, the experience was terrifying and has stayed with me,” she shared with Parade. “I couldn’t comprehend why I couldn’t complete a mere 45-minute journey home, especially not late at night, without overwhelming sleepiness.”
Chappel-Farley is not alone in her struggles—among the 30 million Americans grappling with excessive sleepiness, only six million have been officially diagnosed and seek assistance. This number has been steadily climbing over the past two decades, underscoring the urgency to prevent potentially life-threatening incidents like the one Chappel-Farley faced.
Chappel-Farley wasn’t sleep-deprived before her drive; in fact, she had been getting full nights of rest and taking frequent naps. She soon discovered that her persistent drowsiness stemmed from a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the throat muscles relax excessively, obstructing airflow and depriving the body of oxygen, prompting repeated awakenings throughout the night. This fragmented sleep pattern leads to severe daytime drowsiness.
Despite the prevalence of OSA, one in five adults with moderate to severe cases remain undiagnosed and untreated. While men are more commonly affected, women are not immune, though they are often overlooked in diagnoses. Chappel-Farley reflects on her own experience and challenges the stereotype that sleep apnea primarily affects older adults, men, and individuals with overweight or obesity.
The medical team dismissed the possibility of her having sleep apnea because she did not fit the typical profile they were accustomed to. Women with obstructive sleep apnea often face delays in diagnosis as the condition is commonly associated with men. This disparity in recognition leads to inadequate treatment for women, raising their risks of developing high blood pressure and diabetes. Research shows that women with obstructive sleep apnea have a 28% higher likelihood of premature death compared to those without the condition.
Recognizing sleep apnea can be challenging as it manifests differently in men and women. While men commonly display symptoms such as loud snoring, interrupted breathing, and daytime drowsiness, women may also experience these signs along with fatigue, insomnia, morning headaches, and mood disturbances. Unfortunately, these symptoms can be misattributed to other ailments, complicating diagnosis.
Miranda Chappel-Farley’s personal journey serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of seeking medical assistance and advocating for proper diagnosis. Her use of a CPAP machine has been transformative, restoring her vitality and drive to pursue her passions. By addressing her sleep disorder and incorporating regular exercise, Chappel-Farley has regained her alertness and zest for life.
Chappel-Farley’s experience has led her to become a dedicated sleep researcher, offering a unique perspective that integrates both patient and scientific viewpoints. Her commitment to understanding and addressing sleep apnea highlights the significance of proactive healthcare in improving overall well-being.
Sources:
– Miranda Chappel-Farley, Ph.D, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh
– American Medical Association: What doctors wish patients knew about sleep apnea
– Heart & Lung: Rising cardiovascular mortality among obstructive sleep apnea patients
– National Library of Medicine: Obstructive Sleep Apnea
– Sleep Science: The public health burden of obstructive sleep apnea
– Sleep Medicine: Women with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing are less likely to be diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea than men
– Sleep: Long-term welfare consequences of sleep apnea in 20–64-year-olds—influence of gender
– Sleep: The gender gap in obstructive sleep apnea—unmasking the disproportionate costs on women
