‘Sleep apnea a deadly disease’

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 16

On the occasion of World Sleep Day, Dr HJ Singh a renowned chest and sleep disorders specialist and former president of the Indian Association of Bronchology, said a sound sleep of six to eight hours was necessary for a person.

“The main function of the sleep is to conserve energy. The most common sleep disorder these days is Insomnia — lack of sound sleep and sleep apnea,” said Dr HJ Singh.

He said around 30-35 million people in India were suspected to besuffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which was a major cause of sleep disorders.

He added that there were 84 known sleep disorders and a majority of thepeople doesn’t know about them.

“Snoring is also a sign of the disease. It is not a matter of laugh and if it is not treated well on time, it can lead to dire consequences like road accidents, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, infertility and many other diseases, affecting the whole body organs,” Dr HJ Singh added.

He said Obstructive Sleep Apnea was a sleep disorder, which was related to breathing disorder in which there were repeated obstructions to upper airway while the person, who is sleeping, means “without breath” often for 10 seconds or more and sometimes even a minute or longer.

These episodes of breathing interruptions were dangerous and led to a drop in oxygen saturation in blood.

Dr HJ Singh said sleep disorders is one of the major reasons for divorce in Europe. In India, it is also a major problem.

“In Punjab, youngsters are affected by sleep apnea due to eating habits and alcohol intake.

It affects mainly in the middle age-group. Further statics reveal that the disease in males varied from 4.4% to 19.7% while in females, it ranged 2.5 to 7.7%,” he added.

What is sleep apnea

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder, which is related to breathing disorder in which there are repeated obstructions to upper airway
• In Punjab, youngsters are affected by sleep apnea due to eating habits and alcohol intake 
• Sleep apnea affects people of the middle age-group.
• The disease in males varied from 4.4% to 19.7% while in females, it ranged 2.5% to 7.7%
• The episodes of breathing interruptions are dangerous and lead to a drop in oxygen saturation in blood