Though sleep is one of the basic needs of a living being, we humans are grossly neglecting it in current times especially due to the advancement of science, availability of artificial light and over ambitiousness / greed. Screen addiction is a seriously increasing issue. Problems like Mosquito menace, municipal water supply being released to many localities at odd night hours disturb the sleep of many.
Sleeping at a stretch for 7 to 9 hours every night in physiological hours (around 10pm to 7am) is important for good health.
Having fragmented sleep or sleeping for less time or sleeping late night can cause many illness like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, brain stroke, fatty liver leading to cirrhosis, acidity (GERD), accident proneness, dementia, Parkinson’s, Infertility, PCOD, Obesity, Addictions (tobacco, alcohol etc.), Anxiety, Depression, Erectile dysfunction, frozen shoulder, Allergies, Hair loss, Glaucoma etc. Chances of catching infections including COVID increase due to poor sleep.
Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA (choking of throat in sleep causing blockage of breath multiple times leading to drop in blood oxygen level making the person awaken from sleep leading to poor quality sleep) is the major cause of sleep disturbance.
People with OSA suffer from excessive sleepiness, lack of sleep, snoring, choking in sleep, need to get up from sleep to pass urine, unrefreshing sleep, morning headaches, fatigue, giddiness, lack of concentration etc.
OSA can start in early childhood due to structural defects in the jaw bones or nasal passage or tonsils. Children can present as attention deficit disorders, poor academic performance, obesity etc.
OSA is diagnosed by doing a ‘SLEEP STUDY’ which is a simple non invasive, non painful test done at one’s own residence for one night. Persons having symptoms or diseases described above should get the sleep test done.
Prevention and treatment of OSA includes diagnosing it early in childhood and doing ‘Airway orthodontic’ treatment or tonsillectomy as indicated.
In adults, Weight reduction, Myofunctional exercises of tongue & face, Yog, Pranayam, Using Positive Airway Pressure machine (commonly known as CPAP) and/or using mandibular advancement device while sleeping and sleeping for 7 to 9 hours form the mainstay of treatment. Having early dinner and avoiding screen (TV, mobile) for at least 1 hour before going to bed is important.
