Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has not only become a global but also a national health burden> A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in Indian adults has revealed that approximately 104 million (10.4 crore) Indians of working age may be suffering from the disease.
According to the study done by researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, about 11% Indian adults suffer from OSA, with men at higher risk (13%) compared to women (5%).
More than 100 million Indians suffer from OSA, a condition characterized by episodes of repetitive, complete collapse of the airway. This disturbance results in fragmented, nonrestorative sleep, which can also cause many other deadly health issues and even fatalities.
The study, published in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews, said OSA is a common sleep disorder associated with “considerable morbidity”. Conducted by New Delhi-based All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), seven different research were conducted in the past two decades from different parts of the country.
It is characterised by a complete or partial collapse of the airway with an associated decrease in oxygen saturation or arousal from sleep. In simpler terms, it occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway.
Symptoms of OSA could be loud snoring, episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, awakening in the morning with a dry mouth or sore throat, high BP and decreased interest in sex, amongst others.