CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI Kolkata, held an interactive session with physicians and patients on World Sleep Day to promote the idea of “Sleep Well, Live Well!” and to introduce a Sleep Breathing Problems Support Group. The focus of the session was on lifestyle changes for improved sleep health as well as early diagnosis and treatment.

Millions of Indians have been impacted by sleep apnea, a very serious but frequently undiagnosed medical condition. Every year, the numbers rise. The disorder is characterized by reduced bodily function, a compromised oxygen supply, and a continuous pause and resume of breathing during sleep. When left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to serious cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke; metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity; and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and cognitive dysfunction, which can cause extreme daytime fatigue, decreased productivity, and numerous accidents.

This interactive session with the patients was led by Dr. Raja Dhar, Director and Head of the Department of Pulmonology, and Dr. Arup Halder, Consultant Pulmonologist at CMRI Kolkata.

The doctors discussed the various problems that patients with sleep apnea face. They also mentioned that although it is a common disorder, it is rarely diagnosed and can be fatal. Both noted that snoring, which is frequently dismissed as a bothersome annoyance, may be an early warning sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, decreasing the amount of airflow to the lungs. Untreated OSA can lead to the development of very serious medical conditions, primarily metabolic disorders, heart disease, stroke, and hypertension.

In response to the escalating concerns, CMRI Kolkata has now established a Sleep Apnea Support Group to provide community support and long-term assistance for people to live healthier lives.

Priyanka Dutta