Sleep Apnea May Be a Silent Cause of Sudden Death During Sleep. On World Sleep Day, Professor and Head Dr. Jaimanti Bakshi and Professor Dr. Sandeep Bansal from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, PGIMER Chandigarh, have raised concerns about the underdiagnosed yet potentially fatal condition of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), emphasizing that it may be a contributing factor in cases of sudden death during sleep. OSA is a sleep disorder marked by repeated episodes of partial or complete airway blockage, leading to interrupted breathing, oxygen deprivation, and fragmented sleep.
With nearly 1 billion cases globally and approximately 11% prevalence in India, OSA remains a widespread but often undiagnosed condition. Males are twice as likely to be affected as females, and it is also seen in 1-5% of children aged 2-8 years. Risk factors include obesity, aging, genetic predisposition, smoking, alcohol consumption, and anatomical conditions such as enlarged tonsils or a small jaw.
Dr. Jaimanti Bakshi and Dr. Sandeep Bansal highlighted that untreated OSA significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and fatal accidents due to excessive daytime sleepiness. The condition has also been linked to a higher likelihood of sudden death during sleep, especially among individuals with severe cases or existing heart problems.
Common symptoms include loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, morning headaches, persistent fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Diagnosis often requires sleep studies, and treatment options range from lifestyle changes and oral appliances to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy and surgical interventions in severe cases.
On this occasion, Dr. Bakshi and Dr. Bansal stressed the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, and timely intervention. Many people dismiss snoring and fatigue as normal, unaware of the potential dangers. They urged policymakers to facilitate better screening and treatment access to prevent avoidable health complications and fatalities.
