【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. roundtable /ˈraʊndˌteɪ bəl/ (n.) – a group meeting with people of the same position or status
Example: The roundtable lasted three hours.
2. menstruation /ˌmɛn struˈeɪ ʃən, -ˈstreɪ-/ (n.) – a monthly cycle wherein blood and tissues from a woman’s uterus shed off
Example: During menstruation, women often feel irritable and uncomfortable.
3. stress /strɛs/ (v.) – to put emphasis on something
Example: The speaker stressed the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
4. hit the nail on the head /hɪt ðə neɪl ɔn ðə hɛd/ (idiom.) – to accomplish something as expected
Example: The proposal presented in the seminar hit the nail on the head.
5. snore /snɔr, snoʊr/ (n.) – the sound a person makes when sleeping soundly
Example: I could hear my brother’s snore even from the other room.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Medical studies suggest that sex and gender differences exist in sleep, but as to why these differences exist and how they affect treatment still remain a puzzle.
To understand sex and gender differences in sleep, the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) assembled a panel of distinguished sleep researchers and practitioners for a roundtable. Dr. Monica Mallampalli [muh-LUHM-pa-li], SWHR’s director of scientific programs, and Dr. Christine Carter, SWHR’s vice president of scientific affairs, submitted the full report to the Journal for Women’s Health.
According to the experts, hormonal shifts have a huge impact on women’s sleep. Mallampalli said women are prone to insomnia during their menstruation and menopausal [men-uh-PAW-zuh l] period. In addition, pregnant women suffer restless leg syndrome more than women who are childless. However, there is no accurate research yet to prove the connection between sleep and hormones.
The need for appropriate tools in diagnosing sleep problems among women was also stressed during the meeting. Mallampalli said that existing clinical data on sleep-related concerns are only applicable to men. Therefore, these analyses do not hit the nail on the head when it comes to helping women with their sleep problems.
Current research data only focus on male sleeping patterns. For example, men and women seem to experience sleep apnea [AP-nee-uh, ap-NEE-uh], differently. Common symptoms for men with this condition include snoring, snorting, or gasping for breath. On the other hand, female patients with sleep apnea report fatigue, depression, and restlessness.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Is it necessary to have different tools in treating men and women’s sleeping problems? Why or why not?
· Do you agree that women have more sleeping problems than men? Why or why not?
Discussion B
· Why is sleep important? Please explain your answer.
· What are the effects of lack of sleep? Explain.