Sleep apnea might be fatal: ENT specialist

Vijayawada: Ten per cent of the population were suffering from sleep apnea and if it was not treated in time it could lead to complications, said ENT specialist Dr Rajinikanth here on Friday.

Speaking to the media persons in connection with the ‘World Sleep Day’, Dr Rajnikanth said that change of life style, obesity, smoking, alcohol and consumption of junk food would lead to sleep apnea. 

He said that it is an obstruction by soft palate and the tongue to the air flow while a person is in sleep. He said that this disorder is more in men than women. Women develop this disorder after menopause which was about four per cent. 

He said that snoring is different from sleep apnea. To confirm sleep disorder, certain tests would be conducted on the patient and based on the results, he would be confirmed suffering from sleep apnea disorder.

When a person is suffering from sleep apnea, he is likely to put on weight and would develop health complications like hypertension, heart problems, brain stroke which can be fatal in some cases.

A few surgical corrections could control sleep apnea, said the doctor. Most of the people approach the doctor only if the disorder turns chronic. He said the latest breathing devices are available for patients suffering from this disorder in the initial stages.