AIIMS Reveals Startling Statistics: Over 100 Million Indians Struggling with Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is fairly frequent in India, according to Dr. Randeep Guleria, a former director of AIIMS. Over 100 Million Indians Struggling with Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), often known as sleep apnea, is caused by the constriction of the airways during sleep, which causes breathing pauses and shallow breathing. During sleep, breathing frequently pauses and resumes.

Over 100 Million Indians Struggling with Sleep Apnea

Dr. Guleria stated that although sleep-related disorders are common in India, many people are unaware of them due to a lack of diagnosis.

The diagnosis of sleep apnea can be difficult and is a serious problem. Most snorers are unaware of how their snoring is harming their ability to sleep. This causes some people to unintentionally nod off during the day.

The best treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment. These devices offer constant air pressure through a mask that goes over the mouth and nose to keep the airways open while you sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, observed breathing pauses during sleep, waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air, having a dry mouth or sore throat, a morning headache, difficulty concentrating during the day, mood changes like depression or irritability, high blood pressure, and decreased interest in sex.

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea ( OSA ): What is it?

One of the most prevalent sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Obstructive sleep apnea patients repeatedly pause their breathing while they sleep before starting it again.

An airway that has partially or completely collapsed is indicative of this disease, which might lower oxygen levels or impair sleep. To put it simply, it happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much and create an obstruction.

This interruption causes fragmented, non-restorative sleep to occur.

When to visit a doctor :

• if the sound of your snoring wakes up other people or disturbs your own sleep.
• if you snore or choke when you wake up.
• if while you’re sleeping your breathing stops.
• if your extreme daytime sleepiness interferes with your everyday activities, such as driving, working, or watching TV.

What possible solutions are available to treat sleep apnea ?

Several devices are used to keep the airway open in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Utilising a device that applies positive pressure to maintain the airway open while you sleep is one therapy option.

A mouthpiece that forces the lower jaw forward is another option for use while you’re sleeping. Surgery may also be an option for treatment in some circumstances.

Remember that not everyone who snores suffers from obstructive sleep apnea. It is advisable to speak with a member of your healthcare team if you snore excessively, particularly if it is interspersed with silent times. This is especially important if your snoring is brought on by a physical condition like sleeping on your back, which can cause breathing disruptions similar to apnea.

Talk to your healthcare team about any sleep problems that cause you to feel constantly fatigued, that disrupt the quality of your sleep, or that cause you to nod off excessively during the day. Other disorders like narcolepsy can also cause excessive daytime sleepiness.

Who is more at risk for developing sleep apnea, and what are its causes?

The muscles at the base of the tongue and the back of the throat relax too much during sleep, which results in blockage.

The airway narrows when these muscles are overly relaxed, which lowers blood oxygen levels.

Your brain momentarily wakes you up from sleep to reopen your airway when it detects breathing trouble. This cycle might continue all night.

Some variables, including as obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, asthma, and having a narrow throat, raise the risk of sleep apnea in some people.

A person’s productivity and long-term health may be affected by sleep apnea, which affects about 104 million Indians, 47 million of whom have moderate to severe OSA, according to Dr. Anant Mohan, a researcher at AIIMS.

What Study Find ?

The most prevalent sleep-related breathing disease is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which patients periodically stop breathing during sleep before starting again. This occurs because their neck muscles are too relaxed, which lowers their oxygen levels or awakens them from their slumber. Simply put, it occurs when the muscles in the throat relax, obstructing the airway.

The likelihood of developing sleep apnea can be increased by a number of variables, including obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, asthma, and a narrow neck.

Different devices that aid in maintaining the airway open while you sleep are available as treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea. Utilising a device that applies positive pressure to maintain the airway open while you sleep is one therapy option. A mouthpiece that moves the lower jaw forward as you sleep is an additional choice for moving the tongue and soft palate forward. Surgery may be a possibility in some circumstances.

What are some possible sleep apnea treatments?

• Several gadgets are used in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea to aid in maintaining an open airway.

• A device that uses positive pressure to maintain the airway open while you sleep is one therapeutic option.

• A mouthpiece that moves the lower jaw forward while you sleep is an additional choice. Surgery may also be a possibility in rare circumstances.