Page 56 - 31OCT2018E

The worst thing in the world

is to sleep or not to sleep

Milind Sovani (UK), Dr. David Cunning-
Almost entire country is suffering from sleep disorders but ton, Dr SSK Heranganahally (Australia),
policymakers have not given a serious thought to this grave menace Dr Mahesh Babu (Singapore), Dr. Farhan
Shah (Sweden), Dr. Anoria (Sri Lanka), Dr.
likely to take a shape of epidemic causing a huge loss to productivity, Ramesh Chokhani and Dr. Milesh Saja-
writes mudit mathur pati (Nepal).
Medical disorders relating to sleep
ur Constitution guarantees hours putting them at high risk, not only are not new but its diagnostics and treat-
right to life and liberty to to sleep disorders but also various seri- ment in India is just in its infancy stage as
every person whosoever ous syndromes such as cardiovascular no priority is accorded to this grave con-
resides in Indian subcon- complications including stroke, Hyper- cern which impaired quality of human
O tinent. This precious fun- tension, Ischemic Heart disease, poor life as insufficient sleep led to fatigue and
damental right has been magnified and diabetes and Blood Pressure Control. It sleepiness during working hours and
decorated with other inextricably blend has enhanced the risk of vehicular and sometimes even speakers on the dais
ancillary rights such as humane, healthy industrial accidents, with never ending seen taking nap during important meet-
conditions of living including right to trails of untimely deaths. ings causing huge embarrassment to au-
sound sleep. Despite this constitutional This unequivocal anxiety of experts dience and dignitary himself.
philosophy and mandate to achieve emerged at 4th International conference Sleep is necessary but it functions,
goals set therein our people spend on Physiology and Pathophysiology have
third of their precious life in sleep even been envisioned with the explosion
during working hours. Entire country Insomnia is the of knowledge. Its research opened the
is suffering from disorders of sleep but doors to the field of sleep medicine as we
policy makers have not given a serious most common sleep know today. It has achieved incredible
thought to this grave menace likely to disorder, with ‘some advancements in research and clinical
take a shape of epidemic causing a huge experiences and sleep medicine edu-
loss to productivity in the south-eastern insomnia problems cation. Eminent International and Na-
region of the world. over the past year’ tional faculty on this subject assembled
Insomnia is the most common sleep to interact about advancements in the
disorder, with ‘some insomnia prob- reported by 30 per field. Internationally, sleep disorders are
lems over the past year’ reported by 30 cent of adults, and classified in six major categories: Insom-
per cent of adults, and chronic insomnia nia, Sleep related breathing disorders,
by 10 per cent.Prevalence of obstruc- chronic insomnia by Hypersomnias, Circadian rhythm sleep
tive sleep apnoea, characterized by res- disorder, Parasomnia, Obstructive Sleep
piratory difficulties during sleep, is also 10 per cent Apnea Syndromes (ADULT & pediatric),
high with estimates of 9–21 per cent Restless Legs Syndrome etc.
in women and 24–31 per cent in men. In his inaugural address, Director
Problem in India multiplied many times of South-East Asian Academy of Sleep AIIMS Delhi, Dr Guleria said that at-
following the use of electronic devices Medicine (ICSD-2018) held in Lucknow tempts to medicinally induce sufficient
and smart phone addiction prevalent on October 13-14, 2018, where more than amounts of sleep have occurred since
in even the small kids making them 500 Physicians and Chest Physicians, the advent of the medical arts, but the
vulnerable to sleep disorders. Blue light Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Dentist, Pedia- health implications of failing to main-
screens, i-phones, electronic gadgets tricians and ENT surgeons participated tain a correct balance of sleep/wake has
not only impaired vision but stop sleep. in deliberations. Director of AIIMS Delhi, only recently become widely appreciated
Most important is when you eat. Undue Prof Dr Randeep Guleria inaugurated the both in the medical arena and among the
work pressure and unrealistic targets conference with the imminent presence general public. Inappropriate amounts
of employment conditions, without of Prof David White (Harvard), Dr Meeta of sleep have been linked to cognitive
proper sound sleep of minimum eight Singh, Ms Toni, Ms Lata Casturi (USA), Dr. impairment, immune suppression and

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