title: [The Experiences of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Women].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a potentially lethal respiratory sleep disorder. However, few studies have studied OSA women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the current study was to explore the life experiences of women with OSA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study using the grounded theory method was used to establish a descriptive theory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results were expressed in terms of three stages with related categories. Stage 1: No interest days due to poor sleep, including "uncontrollable sleep", "perceived health deteriorates", and "poor female image harmed by snoring"; Stage 2: Indecision and disappointments during treatment seeking, including "doctor shopping", "being urged by others to seek medical help", and "being shocked by the severity of disease"; and Stage 3: Accepting a new lifestyle with a continuous positive pressure respirator, including "adaptation of the new sleep", "adequate sleep", and "secret worry of being an OSA woman".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the findings of the present study, medical knowledge and treatments related to OSA should be widely promoted with appropriate professional education and counseling services in order to enhance the awareness of patients and to facilitate their acceptance of the healing process using a continuous positive airway pressure respirator.
authors.affiliation: MS, RN, Certified Quality Manager, Department of Administration, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Chao-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: EdD, RN, Associate Professor, Graduate Institute of Health Allied Education, and School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Mei-Hsiang
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: MD, Director, Sleep Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Medical Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ning-Hung
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: MHA, RN, Deputy Director, Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Lun-Hui
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: MS, RN, Supervisor, Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Hsiu-Fang
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: DNSc, RN, Professor and Dean, College of Nursing, and Vice President, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taiwan, ROC. leeing@ntunhs.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Lee-Ing
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Tsao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012890:Sleep; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical
keywords: continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP); obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); qualitative research; women's health