Obstructive Sleep Apnea cases increasing in country: Dr Vishwanath Gella

The experts, pointing out that only two per cent of people suffering from OSA consult a doctor, also stressed on the need for a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to diagnose and treat OSA

Hyderabad: Medical experts believe that at least 10 to 12 per cent of Indians are suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder which is often ignored leading to severe health complications. The experts, pointing out that only two per cent of people suffering from OSA consult a doctor, also stressed on the need for a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to diagnose and treat OSA.

Speaking to the media before an interactive learning session for medical professionals to create awareness about OSA at the AIG Hospitals here on the occasion of World Sleep Day on Friday, Dr Vishwanath Gella, Director, Pulmonary Medicine, AIG Hospitals, said the OSA numbers were increasing in the country with sedentary lifestyle being a major contributary factor.

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Striking a note of caution, Dr. Rajeev Menon, Senior Cardiologist, AIG Hospitals, said if OSA is left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications like hypertension, stroke, heart diseases, and diabetes. “That is why proper diagnosis at the right time is very crucial for management of OSA,” he said.

OSA is characterized by symptoms which are often overlooked by not only the general population but also by many doctors because of lack of awareness. Loud snoring, day-time sleepiness, lack of energy, morning headache, and lack of concentrattion are some of the primary symptoms of OSA.

Explaining the disorder, Dr Srinivas Kishore Sistla, Director, Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), AIG Hospitals said: “In OSA, the muscles at the back of your throat relax too much which narrows airway and breathing gets obstructed for 10 seconds or longer. This may lower the level of oxygen in your blood and cause a buildup of carbon dioxide. From pulmonologists, cardiologists to maxillofacial surgeons, all have a role to play.

There are newer treatment modalities coming up which includes minimal invasive surgeries to treat OSA if the person is not able to manage with CPAP machines, he said, adding that patients, their families as well as their treating physicians need to be educated about the implications of untreated OSA “which can even become fatal in some cases.”

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