‘Up to 80% sleep apnoea patients are obese’

Lucknow: Doctors highlighted growing burden of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), linking it largely to lifestyle disorders. They were speaking at a workshop organised to mark World Sleep Day at Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), on Saturday.More than 100 faculty members, doctors and healthcare staff attended the programme organised by department of pulmonary medicine. The sessions focused on strengthening clinical skills in sleep medicine, particularly the diagnosis and management of sleep-related breathing disorders. A CME-cum-hands-on workshop on OSA and polysomnography was conducted to enhance awareness and clinical expertise in the field.
RMLIMS director Prof C M Singh said that obesity was one of the most significant risk factors for OSA. "Around 70–80% of patients with sleep apnoea are obese, and nearly 90% of obese individuals may develop the disorder," he said, adding that a large number of cases remain undiagnosed due to low public awareness.Padamshree awardee Prof Rajendra Prasad noted, "While prevalence of sleep apnoea increased over past two decades, awareness among public is still limited. Loud snoring, excessive drowsiness during daytime and pauses in breathing during sleep are key warning signs. Early diagnosis can help prevent further serious complications."During technical sessions, the institute's head of pulmonary medicine, Prof Ajay Kumar Verma, described sleep health as a critical pillar of cardiovascular well-being. Dr Sarika Gupta cautioned that snoring in children should not be ignored, noting that sleep apnoea can affect them too. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !