A recent Swedish study monitoring 400 sleeping women ages 20-70 suggests that up to 50% of women have sleep apnea: they stop breathing for more than 10 seconds at least 5 times an hour while they sleep.

When a person, male or female, suffers from obstructive sleep apnea-the type examined in the study-they breathe normally during the day, but when they fall asleep at night, their throat collapses, so they stop breathing adequately and don't get enough oxygen. This disruption in breathing can last for 10-60 seconds, and it can happen as many as 80 times per hour!  

At best, the sleeping disorder can result in poor sleep quality, headaches, and daytime fatigue, but at worst, it can kill you by increasing your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. In fact, a 2008 study published in the journal Sleep found that people with severe sleep apnea were three times as likely to die of any cause compared to those without the disease.

So how do you know if you have it? Most people come to her clinic for a screening because their bed mate notices their abnormal nighttime breathing patterns. And while some sufferers also seek treatment because they feel tired and lethargic throughout the day, it can be tough to determine whether you have sleep apnea if you sleep alone.  

Here are some risk factors that can help clue you in:

• Excess weight: In the Swedish study, sleep apnea occurred in 84 percent of obese participants, with 20 percent suffering from severe cases of the disease. The reason? Excess fatty tissue around your neck can block your airway, making obesity a clear risk factor for the disorder. (And to make matters worse, sleep apnea can also lead to further weight gain: it can contribute to daytime fatigue, which may make sufferers more likely to overeat and avoid exercise.)
• Persistent high blood pressure: The researchers also found a strong relationship between high blood pressure and sleep apnea-a whopping 80 percent of participants with hypertension had the sleep disorder. Other studies have confirmed this correlation, and inadequate breathing is to blame. The drop in oxygen levels that occurs seems to cause some change in the regulation of the blood vessels. If a person has high blood pressure that isn't responding to traditional interventions like diet modification and medication, sleep apnea could be the culprit.
• Age: The study found that sleep apnea also occurred more frequently in older participants-a finding that's consistent with previous research. In women specifically, the disorder is more likely to show up after menopause, a correlation that experts believe is related to hormonal fluctuations.
• Throat obstruction: Regardless of age and body weight, people who have a large neck, small throat, big tongue, nasal or sinus condition, or any other factor that contributes to an obstructed airway are biologically predisposed to develop sleep apnea.

3 Ways to Sleep Safer:

1. Maintain a healthy body weight. Losing weight can improve-and sometimes even eliminate-sleep apnea. In fact, research has shown than even a modest 10-percent drop in body weight may significantly reduce the severity of the disease.

2. Sleep on your side. Thanks to gravity, laying on your side can open up your throat while you sleep, reducing the severity of sleep apnea.  

3. See a specialist. If you think you might have sleep apnea, you should make an appointment with a sleep doctor for a screening. Aside from lifestyle changes, a variety of medical interventions are available to help treat the disease, including specialty sleep masks and surgeries. Anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes should automatically be tested for the sleeping disorder.

Source: Women's Health Magazine 

Usually, healthy bacteria in the body fight against candida bacteria, keeping them from growing out of control. However, a shift can sometimes occur, allowing the candida to overpower the healthy bacteria, and multiply rapidly, causing infection. This is often caused by a change in hormones or the taking of antibiotics, though chlorinated swimming water can contribute to the condition as well, as it can hinder good bacteria and allow candida to grow.

Misconceptions

You cannot pass a yeast infection to other swimmers. Yeast infections are not contagious. While you can stimulate the overgrowth of yeast in your partner through sexual contact, you cannot pass an infection, according to Planned Parenthood.

Significance

When swimming with a yeast infection, keep your vaginal area dry when you're through with your swim. Hanging around in a wet bathing suit can stimulate the growth of yeast, exacerbating your infection. Avoid putting another suit on, if possible, because yeast thrives in synthetic fabrics. A loose-fitting dress and cotton panties helps keep your vaginal area dry and inhibit the yeast infection.

Potential

The vaginal environment is delicate. Anything that changes the pH balance of your vagina can be the source of a yeast infection. The chlorine in pools creates a harsh environment to which you expose yourself if you're a regular swimmer. If you are experiencing some discomfort and fear a yeast infection is coming on, consider whether swimming is prudent.

Swimming is often recommended for pregnant women because it's easy on the joints and helps manage swelling of the lower extremities. It's also a common time to struggle with yeast infections because of fluctuating hormones. However, if you're pregnant and swimming as a means of keep fit, talk with your doctor before treating a yeast infection. Don't reach for a regular over-the-counter treatment without consulting your obstetrician.

Tips for Prevention

* Keep your immune system up (this is as simple as taking some extra vitamins or drinking a glass of orange juice every morning)

* Wear loose-fitting clothing and underwear that has a cotton crotch
* Don't sit around in a wet bathing suit or clothing
* Urinate frequently (try not to "hold it") and always after sexual intercourse
* Stay away from douches and vaginal sprays
* Don't use scented tampons or other perfumed products on or in the vagina

If you have symptoms of a vaginal infection such as pain, burning during urination, itching and abnormal discharge:

* Call your doctor, even if you think you may have a simple yeast infection
* Drink plenty of fluids
* Begin treatment as soon as possible

Waiting too long to see a doctor or not properly treating an infection can result in even worse infections that can send you to the hospital and impact fertility, so it is absolutely necessary to treat your symptoms as soon as they appear. And the quicker you clear up any infections, the quicker you can get back in the pool and enjoy your summer.

Sources: Livestrong; EmpowHER 

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