Sound sleep is very important for a healthy life along with a balanced diet and adequate exercise. However, in today’s fast paced world, most people have a tendency to take health issues lightly until they reach an aggravated stage. We all know the value of sleeping well, and have experienced the feeling of being refreshed after a good night's rest. But despite knowing this, our busy work life schedules do not permit us to have the required quality six to eight hours of sleep that our bodies need.
Patients suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA) have pauses in their breathing while asleep and are forced to wake up to catch their breath. This is repeated several times during the night, and the next morning the person wakes up extremely tired and sluggish despite spending the adequate number of hours in bed. The fact that he or she has been awakened several times during the slumber severely compromises the quality of sleep. Over a period of time enormous sleep deficit accumulates and the hapless patient can sleep anywhere: in the elevator, between meetings, behind the wheels and even as a pillion rider, which could be fatal for him and others.
Snoring, the obvious sign of OSA , and not getting the required help at an early stage could be very detrimental to the overall health of a person. OSA has been clinically proven to have a very high correlation to a number of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Treating Sleep Apnea has shown to improve quality of life, and reduce the risks of associated comorbidities. If diagnosed at an early stage and treated, the positive effects manifest in a variety of areas, improving a person's overall quality of life and putting an end to daytime sleepiness and lethargy.
Dr K S Satish is pulmonologist, Vikram Hospital, Chest and Maternity Centre and Fortis Hospital.
