With clocks officially turned back in many eastern states as daylight savings came to an end on 6 April, this marks the perfect time take stock of our sleep hygiene.
National Pharmacies is urging us to assess our sleep hygiene and consider whether undiagnosed sleep disorders may be affecting our health.
Ashleigh Mingorance, Health Services Administrator at National Pharmacies, says that while gaining an extra hour of sleep might seem beneficial, the shift can still disrupt the body’s internal clock.
“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,” she says.
Ms Mingorance notes that women, in particular, are at risk of undiagnosed sleep disorders.
“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 says.
“Additionally, as sleep apnoea is often associated with older, overweight men, women may not recognise themselves as at risk, leading to underdiagnosis.”
Ms Mingorance says 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% of the 2500 patients assisted at the clinics since 2016 have been women.
Ms Mingorance encourages women to 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 says.
“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.
