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The Quest for Rest
By Barbara Kantrowitz

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12334537/site/newsweek/

     “The Quest for Rest” is an article that was printed in the April 24, 2006 edition of Newsweek.  The article talks about the troubles that women are having when trying to sleep and how they are just beginning to come forth about their troubles.  The article also talks about some of the underlying causes of the sleeplessness that women are experiencing as well as remedies and new drugs that have been designed to help the problem.  Potential health complications are also listed that are associated with a lack of sleep.
     This article is of interest to me because I work in the allergy and pulmonary departments during the summer at the Dean Medical Center.  We see a variety of patients that come in with sleep disorders ranging from young children to older adults.  We do not see very many women though, and this article may lead to an increase in the number of women that come to the clinic to be tested for potential sleep disorders.  The media has a huge effect in terms of what people worry about in relation to their health as has been the case in the past.  Also, college students often suffer from poor sleep habits (if they sleep at all).  I felt this article may offer some insight into the problem women have with sleeplessness as well as offer some advice regarding sleeplessness in the population as a whole.
     The intended audience for this article is adult women, particularly those that may potentially exhibit some of the symptoms that were listed in the article (lower mood, less energy, more irritability).  Women seem to take a more proactive approach to their health than men do and would be more receptive to the article’s suggestions.  There is some technical jargon that is used throughout the article, but it is quickly followed by explanations that the average layperson could understand.  This makes the author’s message more effective and encourages women to talk to their doctor about these issues.
     Throughout the piece, there are several key experts cited providing testimony to what may be causing the problem.  Many of them are well-respected in their fields and head societies devoted to sleep.  The majority of the experts are women too which shows there are doctors that can empathize with women who suffer from this problem.  The quotes are placed effectively throughout the piece, offering insight to the more difficult concepts regarding sleep and its causes.  Statistical information such as number of people suffering from sleep problems, the percent of menstruating women reporting that they have problems, and the sales of sleep aids is included as well.  This further supports the point that more and more women are admitting they have a problem and that the problem is worth examining.
     In addition to expert testimony, the author includes the testimony of real women that have been diagnosed with sleep disorders.  The first testimonial, from a mother, is very important in that it raises the question of the origin of the sleepiness, especially when raising a child.  The last is a woman that doesn’t appear to have children but also has experienced problems sleeping as well.  Both of the testimonials are used to show that sleeplessness can have a variety of etiologies.  The author uses both points to show the common belief in sleep medicine that it is important to recognize the cause of the sleeping problem before treating with drugs.
     The article is organized into an introduction, problem, and solution format.  The author provides cases where women have had trouble sleeping to illustrate the problem.  The author then uses the testimony of experts to spell out the problem.  In the last portion of the article, the author goes through different diagnoses and remedies to help with the specific problem.  The article as a whole is quite technical.  It systematically lays out each point and provides analysis and a solution for that point before moving on.
     There is no glaring bias in the article.  The subtitle of the article clearly states that the subject is women, and the article focuses on the issue of sleeplessness in relation to women’s health.  There is no lack of recognition of this in the field of sleep pathology which is evident by the quotes by the leading sleep researchers.  Therefore, the author doesn’t focus on the lack of attention.  Rather, she focuses on the need for women to recognize this problem and seek medical attention for it and treat the specific underlying cause of sleeplessness.
     In summary, the author focuses on illustrating the problem so that women in the general public are better informed and can recognize this disorder in their own lives.  The author explores different avenues to relieve sleeplessness.  I think she does this in an attempt to offer possible avenues for women that are experiencing these symptoms to try to improve their sleep before seeing a doctor.  Through the numerous interviews, suggestions, and remedies, Kantrowitz gives women enough tools to take a more proactive approach to health rather than the passive approach many take when visiting a doctor.

posted by Andy @ 7:37 PM