DNA India
26 July 2010
By Swati Bhan
Ahmedabad, India

Do you feel sleepy during the day or even while driving and get fragmented sleep at night, well this maybe a common disease that many Amdavadis are suffering from. Medically termed as sleep apnea, the disease is cutting across all age groups.

The fact that the city now has at least half a dozen sleep laboratories indicates that the cases of sleep apnea are on a rise in the city. Experts who deal in the field said that a couple of years ago, only few cases of sleep apnea were seen every month, but now the number of cases have gone upto two to three per day.

Once a patient is detected with sleep apnea, they are referred to a pulmonologist who treats the person suffering from this disease. Admitting that the number of cases in the city is on a rise, pulmonologist Dr Rajesh Mishra said, "Sleep apnea is seen commonly in people who suffer from obesity and hypothyroidism."

Dr Mishra added that the disease is primarily lifestyle related and can be treated when the patient is kept under observation at sleep laboratories or by removal of excess tissues inside the throat which eases out the breathing process. "Many times patients suffering from sleep apnea, sleep with dropped jaws thereby leading to breathing problems and a disturbed sleep," Dr Mishra.

Dr Amit Patel, another pulmonologist who recently conducted an awareness camp at a city based hospital said that many people suffer from sleep apnea without even realising that they are suffering from a disease that could be prove to be fatal as well.

"Neurological defect is primarily that leads to sleep apnea. Portable sonography machines can also monitor sleep apnea which can later lead to medication," said Patel.