It's a health issue on the rise
For many in India, snoring may be an innocuous sound, but it has an important hidden signal, indicating sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder which results in breathing that starts and stops multiple times during sleep, often without your awareness. If undiagnosed and unaddressed, it can covertly deteriorate your body and impact your health deeply.
Sleep apnea is no longer just the domain of older or overweight men, but is a concern that is creeping across genders and age groups. Studies show that around 1 in 10 adults in India may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
We live life in a city but also make it worse with our lifestyle. Stress, air pollution, irregular routines, and long hours behind the desk contribute to the prevalence.
Compounding this problem, is the alarming rate at which OSA can lurk beneath the surface. Experts believe that 70-80% of OSA, may be undiagnosed.
Sleep apnea often co-occurs with other health issues
About 6 in 10 of those folks who have uncontrolled high blood pressure also may have OSA. More than half of those people with diabetes also may show signs of OSA.
You can't ignore sleep apnea and today we are seeing sleep apnea cases not only in older adults but also in working adults, busy parents, and even children, especially with large tonsils.
Signs you should pay attention to
•Heavy snoring, especially if it occurs regularly
•A choking or gasping sound during sleep (often noted by a partner)
•Waking up with headaches
•Feeling tired all day, even with a full night’s sleep contribution
•Trouble focusing or remembering things
•Irritability or mood changes
•Frequent evening urination
Sleep apnea is also connected with a high rate of car accidents in India—much of this involves those who had never been diagnosed before.
Why it matters
When not attended to, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems over time, including:
•Hearts issues and an individual’s chance of stroke doubles or triples.
•High blood pressure.
•Weight gain and diabetes.
•Depression, anxiety and forgetfulness.
•Accidents caused by a poor lapse of alertness and daytime fatigue.
This is more than just sleep—it is your body.
How it is diagnosed and treated
Testing is simple and can be done either among the comforts of your own home or at a sleep clinic. After diagnosis, there are several options to treat and manage apnea:
•CPAPs: These machines keep some airflow to your airway while you sleep. They are tiny, whisper quiet, and now come with some smart features.
•Losing weight and adopting healthier lifestyles
•Mouthpieces: Mouthpieces fit snugly in your mouth during sleep to help you breathe
•Resolving nasal or throat issues, like enlarged tonsils in children
•Surgery only if previous treatments do not resolve apnea
When to seek treatment
If your snoring is loud, you wake up tired, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it is worth being checked out. A simple sleep study can seriously change your life.
Treating sleep apnea yields better focus, improved mood, strengthened heart health, and longer, healthier years. Because... restful sleep is not a luxury—it is our survival and thrives.
Symptoms of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea symptoms often include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, and repeated pauses in breathing. Many people wake up feeling unrefreshed, experience morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, irritability, and trouble concentrating. A dry mouth or sore throat upon waking is also common. If these signs appear regularly, medical evaluation is important.
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