PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, Mar 31: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a neglected condition that could impact the health of individuals and their quality of life. There is a need to identify and treat the disease to avoid complications, according to doctors.
In an interview with lagatar24.com, Dr Yogesh Kumar Jain, Consultant Pulmonologist at MEDICA said, “At least one-third of adult life is spent sleeping. Sleep is important for a healthy metabolism, and any disturbances could have spillover to the next day’s functions.”
Describing OSA, Dr Yogesh said that it is a sleep disorder in which there is repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep and breathing is momentarily cut off. It also frequently causes snoring and choking or gasping for air during sleep which results in poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.
“OSA is a common disorder with the majority of people not aware of the consequences and adverse effects on health. 20 to 30 percent of adults have OSA,” Dr Yogesh added.
Sharing the negative aspects of OSA he said that motor vehicle accidents are at least twice as likely to occur in people with OSA compared to those without OSA as it reduces the ability to function at work or while driving.
“Besides daytime sleepiness, other issues due to OSA may include lack of energy, fatigue, poor concentration, poor memory and mood instability. OSA can also have a long term effect on other conditions. OSA is associated with high blood pressure, stroke, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiac rhythm disturbances and difficulty in controlling blood sugar, because of which treatment of OSA, especially severe OSA, is essential,” he added.
Common risk factors for OSA include overweight or obesity, male gender, old age, upper airway crowding (people with small chins, large tongues or large tonsils), alcohol consumption and smoking.
Diagnosis for OSA is easy. If someone has symptoms suggestive of OSA, it can be diagnosed with either a sleep test in a laboratory called polysomnogram or a portable sleep apnea test that can be done at home, called a home sleep apnea test (HSAT), said Dr Yogesh.
Sharing treatment procedures Dr Yogesh said that treatment of OSA usually falls into one of four categories that is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), oral appliances, surgery or lifestyle changes which include weight reduction, positional therapy, avoiding smoking and alcohol.
Dr Yogesh also suggested some home remedial tips to deal with OSA which include losing weight, daily exercise, avoiding alcohol and medications such as anti-anxiety pills and sleeping pills, sleeping on your side or stomach rather than on your back and keeping nasal passages open while sleeping (by using decongestant nasal spray).
