Professor Sandeep Bansal, the in-charge of sleep services at the ENT department of PGI stated that about 30 new patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) were received every month at PGIMER. Mild symptoms were seen among one in five adults, while one in 15 had moderate-to-severe symptoms.

He said that Obstructive Sleep Apnoea was one of the most feared but untreated conditions in society due to lack of awareness. Sleeping problems were mostly treated with a sleeping pill, but the underlying reason remained undiagnosed and untreated. The topic became more sensitive after the death of eminent singer Bappi Lahiri due to OSA.

Professor Bansal, and Professor Naresh Panda, head of the ENT department, explained the early signs of OSA. People who snore more or someone who finds it difficult to sleep at night due to a sudden choking sensation in the neck must be referred to a sleep surgeon for management of this condition. Snoring is not a regular event and should not be ignored if anyone has difficulty sleeping at night because the person is unable to sleep or wakes up several times due to breathlessness. The first one is a case of insomnia in which you’ll visit a psychiatrist while the second one is a case of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. OSA is the mother of all major cardiac morbidities and other morbidities in adults as well as children.

Some of the symptoms of OSA include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, morning headache, nighttime sweating, experiencing mood changes, abrupt awakening at night with a dry mouth and sore throat. Studies have shown that OSA could also increase the chances of road accidents because of lack of sleep and increased drowsiness while driving. Even the drop in oxygen level while sleeping could cause the body to release adrenaline to such a level that it can cause a sudden cardiac arrest. About 19 % of people died with severe sleep apnoea. 

Professor Panda said that untreated sleep apnea could lead to potentially serious health complications, such as heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes and depression. OSA occurs because of repetitive narrowing of the airway during sleep despite breathing efforts. The person would stop breathing repeatedly throughout sleep unknowingly. So an early recognition of the problem and getting it treated is of utmost importance.

Professor Bansal said that about 20 to 50 %of obese children had OSA, with the main factor responsible being enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids. 85% of the children could be cured of their OSA by Adenotonsillectomy.

Professor Bansal said that around 30 new patients of OSA monthly visited PGI. About 15-20 sleep studies a month were being conducted at PGI. 10 studies were being done even during the pandemic. Obesity was the main factor contributing to an increased OSA and is being treated. OSA also increased in menopausal and postmenopausal women. Based on the severity of the sleeping disorder condition, Apnea Hypopnea Index AHI (AHI, a unit that determines sleep apnea severity), treatments were being given. An AHI of less than 5 is normal. An AHI between 5-15 was mild, between 16-30 is moderate and more than 30 was severe. Immediate treatment was recommended for an AHI of more than 15. Medical as well as surgical treatment options were currently available for selected patients, but more important was lifestyle modifications.

Source: The Indian Express