Only 4% know about sleep apnea in Pune

While the rising number of cases of sleep disorders in the city is worrying doctors, a community research study conducted by a Pune-based doctor showed that only 4% of the population actually knows about sleep disorders and sleep apnea.  

The study showed that 12% of the urban population is at risk from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).  

Conducted by Dr Rakesh Datta, it has suggested high incidence of OSA in the urban population. “OSA is characterised by reduction in blood oxygen levels as the sufferer is unable to breathe sufficiently during sleep. People suffering from this disease may be unaware of this condition and snoring, at times, may be the only hint of its existence. This lack of awareness is like a ticking time bomb and, if untreated, OSA can cause other complications,” said Datta.  

“Men between the ages of 45 and 55 seem to be most prone to this disorder. Presumably, this is so, because they are leading a sedentary lifestyle. Smokers and obese people (BMI more than 25) are also at risk. The amount of fat accumulated at face and neck is more, which causes breathlessness predisposing them to OSA.”  

Among the other observations made was the lack of awareness about OSA in the study population. Only 4-5% of the population studied had ever heard of sleep apnea as a disease. Surprisingly, the social stigma attached to snoring makes people reluctant to go to the doctor for it. Many consider snoring as a subject of ridicule and try to hide it from family members. Not surprisingly, only a few are aware of the likelihood of complications like high blood pressure, heart problems, endocrine problems and other breathing problems which OSA may cause.  

“Sleep apnea is increasingly becoming a common lifestyle disease in Mumbai with a 15% rise in number of cases. Snoring is one of the symptoms of sleep apnea. Snoring and sleep apnea cause constant fatigue and daytime sleepiness resulting in sleeping on the wheel (driving), reduced productivity at work, affects interpersonal relationships and health problems like hypertension, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, also making one extremely susceptible to heart diseases,” said Dr Vinay Agarwal, ENT specialist, Lilavati Hospital.  

Children form another important subgroup that suffers from OSA because of enlarged adenoids and tonsils.

“Sleep is very important for both mental and physical growth in children. The hormones essential for growth are released in the body during certain phases of sleep. Disturbance of sleep rhythms may leave the children lacking in growth,” said Datta.