As a society, we may have moved closer to gender equality at home and at work, but have our sleeping patterns kept pace? Maybe not, as a recent study seems to suggest.

In early August, sociologist researchers at The University of Cincinnati released the findings of a sleep study that delved into whether work and family obligations played a role in difficulty in achieving a good night’s sleep.

The researchers conducted a phone survey in which 583 participants – all members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union – were asked about the number of hours they slept, as well as about sleep quality-related questions such as the number of times they had difficulty falling or staying asleep, whether they fell asleep at work, and whether they woke up feeling refreshed.

The researchers also examined the participant’s family status, whether they were married to a working or non-working spouse, the stability of their relationships and their job schedules. After factoring in demographic, health and other dynamics, they found that women were far more likely to report sleep disturbances due to difficulties in balancing the demands of their jobs with the demands of their families. The authors also found that women were more likely than men to report sleep disruption when they were concerned about their marriage or when family issues were affecting their job or job performance.

According to the authors, “Overall, the results show that gendered reactions to work-family situations accounted for more than half of the gender gap in sleep disruption.” And they concluded that researchers should continue to take into consideration these sleep differences when studying gender inequality in contemporary society.

U.S. News & World Reports seven ways to make sleep apnea worse:

Weight Gain. Extra pounds can bulk up tissues in and around a person’s airway, making the airway more vulnerable to collapse as muscles relax during sleep. Although thin folks can develop apnea too, more than 50 percent of people who have the condition are overweight.

Alcohol. A muscle relaxant can slacken throat tissues more than usual during sleep, making the airway more vulnerable to obstruction.

Medications. Prescription medications can cause you to snore and have sleep apnea. Also, sleeping pills make it harder to arouse from sleep.

Sleep position. Typically, sleeping on your back makes sleep apnea worse, and sleeping on your side makes it better because of how and where weight falls on the airway.

Sleep deprivation. When your body is sleep deprived it will launch itself into a deep sleep to make up for lost shuteye. But sleep apnea tends to be worse during that deep-sleep period, called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, due to its heightened state of relaxation.

Smoking. Cigarettes are direct irritants to the upper airway-the throat, uvula, soft palate and tongue-that over time can make the area swell.
Anatomy. Enlarged tonsils, a deviated septum, or a smaller-than-normal airway can keep you awake at night.