Lifestyle
DR MICHAEL MOSLEY: The hidden sleep disorder that can make women feel tired all day
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Are you tired all the time? Do you struggle to stay awake in the afternoon and frequently fall asleep watching TV? Has your sex life dried up?
If so, you may be suffering from a commonly undiagnosed disorder called sleep apnoea. It’s estimated that at least ten million people in the UK have sleep apnoea, but fewer than 15 per cent of those affected know they have it, let alone get treated. And the people who are least likely to get treatment are women.
People with sleep apnoea repeatedly stop breathing (it can be for a few seconds or more than a minute) during the night.
That not only disrupts sleep but over time leads to weight gain and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. It also reduces the production of sex hormones, such as oestrogen and testosterone, although why is not clear, and decreases sex drive.
I’ve always associated sleep apnoea with overweight men who snore, and they are certainly at risk, mainly because excess fat around the neck puts pressure on the upper airway during sleep.
But as I’ve discovered, while making a new series on sleep, it affects all ages — and is very common in women (according to a Swedish study, 20 per cent of women have moderate to severe sleep apnoea and 90 per cent of those don’t know they have it).
The main form of sleep apnoea, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), typically happens when your tongue falls back, partially blocking your airway — a loud, snoring sound occurs as air vibrates against the soft tissue as it’s forced past the obstruction.
When it becomes more severe, that blockage means you stop breathing, which wakes you up so that you can shift, perhaps from lying on your back to lying on your side, to clear the blockage.
R egularly cutting off your oxygen supply and constantly waking can be harmful to your brain and to your body. It is a major cause of severely raised blood pressure, which leads to strokes, as well as tiredness and irritability.
It can even kill you. The actress Carrie Fisher, famous as Princess Leia in Star Wars, died from a heart attack at the age of 60 while on a plane. The coroner said that the main contributory factors were untreated sleep apnoea and a build-up of fatty tissue on the walls of her arteries. Men often get diagnosed because their partner notices the snoring, the regular halts in breathing and gasping or snorting noises.
Unfortunately, men don’t seem to recognise when the same thing happens to women, so women don’t get dragged along to the doctor anything like as much.
Women also tend to have slightly different symptoms — so when they do go to the doctor they commonly report fatigue, headaches or having restless legs, for example, which their GP may not immediately recognise as being linked to sleep apnoea. Why women are more prone to these symptoms is unclear, but one theory is that they tend to have different sleep cycles and this leads to fewer but more severe apnoeas (wakings).
Sleep apnoea gets worse after the menopause and this is partly because women are then prone to weight gain, but also because of the drop in the hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, which strengthen the upper airway and stop it collapsing.
A Norwegian study, published last year in PLOS One, found that women with lower levels of these hormones were much more likely to snore and have sleep apnoea.
But if you are referred for tests and it turns out that you have OSA, you have a number of options. Losing weight is a good place to start. Although slim people can develop OSA, it is more common in overweight people.
For a study in Finland, a group of overweight or obese people with OSA were put on a rapid weight-loss diet (800 calories a day for up to 12 weeks; similar to my Fast 800 programme). They lost an average of 10.7 kg, and this cured more than half of them of OSA. Even if they lost and kept off just 3 kg, their chance of curing their OSA was still 38 per cent.
Another option is buying a device that keeps you sleeping on your side, rather than your back. I’ve seen one you wear around your neck while you sleep, which gives you a little buzz when it detects you lying on your back, prompting you to move. Sewing a tennis ball into the back of your pyjamas would have a similar effect. I know people who swear by this.
There’s also something called a mandibular advancement device (MAD), which you normally get from a dentist, that’s a bit like a sophisticated mouthguard. When you put it in at night it brings your lower jaw (and tongue) forward, keeping your airway clear.
If you have severe sleep apnoea, you may be prescribed a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. It sits by your bed and pumps air into a mask covering your nose and mouth while you sleep. The pressure of the air keeps your throat open so you don’t stop breathing.
It can be a lifesaver but it does have downsides. You have to wear a mask in bed every night, and looking like Darth Vader can also be a bit of a passion killer.
If nothing else works there is uvulopalatopharyngoplasty — an operation to burn or cut away tissue in your throat to try to clear the obstruction. This has risks, recovery is painful and it is not always effective.
There is, however, other hope on the horizon. In a study published last December in the journal Chest, researchers tested a nasal spray containing a drug designed to prevent the collapse of the upper airway during sleep.
They found it to be far more effective at keeping patients’ airways open compared with a placebo.
The next step is bigger trials but it is an exciting possibility for the millions who are suffering with sleep apnoea — albeit not in silence.
Paris Fashion Week 2025 has arrived with more than just glamour on the runway—it’s signaling a major turning point for the global fashion industry. From leadership shakeups at legendary fashion houses to fresh strategies aimed at reviving sluggish luxury sales, this season is less about tradition and more about transformation.
Creative Leadership Takes Center Stage
This year, all eyes are on Chanel and Dior. Both brands, known for defining eras of elegance, are under new creative leadership for the first time in years. Each debut brought its own energy. Chanel leaned into sharp tailoring and minimalist detailing—a shift from the romanticism of past collections—while Dior stunned audiences with bold silhouettes and cultural references that hinted at a more global, forward-thinking vision.
The shakeup isn’t just about aesthetics. Insiders say these leadership changes reflect a broader push to attract a new generation of buyers who value innovation, diversity, and purpose as much as luxury.
Post-Pandemic Pressures Push Brands to Adapt
Beyond the catwalk, the luxury market is facing a reality check. The post-pandemic boom that lifted sales in 2021 and 2022 has slowed, leaving many major houses reevaluating their business models. Rising production costs, changing consumer values, and a global shift toward sustainability have forced brands to rethink how they connect with their audiences.
Some are experimenting with smaller, more curated fashion shows aimed at creating intimate, immersive experiences. Others are merging fashion with technology, offering digital collections, augmented reality previews, and interactive shopping platforms to keep younger consumers engaged.
Luxury Meets Purpose
One of the most noticeable themes this season is intentionality. Several emerging designers used their runway shows to highlight social issues—from climate change to cultural preservation—making it clear that fashion in 2025 is not just about what you wear, but what it represents. Even established houses are weaving more storytelling and purpose-driven messaging into their presentations.
A Pivotal Season for Global Fashion
Paris Fashion Week has always been the heartbeat of style, but this year, it feels more like a strategic summit than a celebration. Brands are no longer just competing on creativity—they’re racing to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving world. With leadership changes at the top, shifting consumer expectations, and new approaches to business, Paris Fashion Week 2025 may be remembered as the moment fashion stopped looking back and started shaping its future.
When we talk about climate change, images of rising seas, extreme heat, and melting glaciers often dominate. But there’s a human dimension that is growing far faster than policymakers are ready to admit: climate migration.
The United Nations projects that by 2050, over 200 million people could be displaced due to environmental changes. These are not “refugees” in the traditional sense fleeing war or political oppression—they are families leaving their homes because the land has become unlivable. From villages in Bangladesh swallowed by floods to farmers in sub-Saharan Africa devastated by drought, the crisis is already here.
Unlike other global challenges, climate migration is not confined to one region. Wildfires in California, flooding in Germany, and hurricanes in the Caribbean have displaced thousands in developed nations as well. The difference is that wealthier countries often have more resources to rebuild. Poorer nations do not.
This raises a difficult question: Who is responsible? Nations with the largest carbon footprints have contributed the most to climate change, but those suffering most are often the least responsible. This imbalance is fueling debates about climate reparations and global migration policies.
The ripple effects extend beyond humanitarian concerns. Large-scale displacement can destabilize economies, strain healthcare systems, and intensify political tensions. Europe’s refugee crisis of 2015, driven largely by war, was a preview of the political and social challenges mass migration can bring. Multiply that by climate factors, and the stakes become enormous.
Governments need to act now. Investing in climate adaptation, creating legal protections for climate migrants, and developing international agreements will be essential. Ignoring the issue will not make it go away. If anything, the world is already late to the conversation.
In a stunning turn of events at the 97th Academy Awards, the low-budget comedy-drama “Anora” swept the ceremony, securing five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Adrien Brody clinched Best Actor for his role in “The Brutalist,” marking his second win in this category.
Anora’s Remarkable Triumph
Directed by Sean Baker, “Anora” tells the story of a sex worker who marries a wealthy Russian playboy. Despite its modest budget, the film captivated audiences and critics alike, leading to its impressive haul at the Oscars. Baker himself matched a historic record by winning four Oscars in one night—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing—a feat previously achieved only by Walt Disney in 1954.
Mikey Madison’s portrayal of the titular character earned her the Best Actress award, surpassing seasoned nominees such as Demi Moore, who was favored for her role in “The Substance.”
Adrien Brody’s Second Oscar Win
Adrien Brody’s performance as architect László Tóth in “The Brutalist” garnered him the Best Actor award, adding a second Oscar to his accolades. His portrayal of the troubled architect resonated with the Academy, solidifying his status as a leading actor in Hollywood.
Other Notable Wins
Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” and Kieran Culkin took home Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain.” Additionally, Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win Best Costume Design for his work on “Wicked.”
Conclusion
The 2025 Oscars highlighted the power of storytelling, with “Anora” leading the charge. The film’s success underscores the industry’s growing recognition of diverse narratives and the talents that bring them to life.thetimes.co.uk
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