More than a snore: deconstructing sleep apnoea Premium

Recognize symptoms of OSA, prioritize sleep health, and initiate early treatment to prevent long-term health impacts.

Snoring is considered a common phenomenon, but in some, snoring could be a symptom associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). 

Doctors stress that good quality sleep is essential; uninterrupted sleep that leaves one feeling refreshed in the morning. But several factors can disrupt our sleep.

With World Sleep Day being observed on March 14, doctors emphasise the need to ensure good quality sleep, recognise symptoms of OSA that could impact individuals in more than one way and initiate treatment as early as possible. This year, World Sleep Day was on the theme “Make Sleep Health a Priority”.

Mathivanan Koushik Muthuraja, professor and senior consultant, pulmonary, sleep and lung transplant medicine, Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, said that sleep is a very important aspect of a person’s health. “One-third of the day is spent on sleep. It helps in the normal functioning of the brain the next day, regulates body temperature and hormones. Sleep is important for every aspect of life as it recharges the body. Adults need a minimum of eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, while children tend to sleep longer, and start to sleep less as they grow older,” he said.

Insomnia, OSA and snoring are major sleep disruptors, he said, adding : “Many tend to ignore and overlook snoring, but we must remember that snoring occurs due to an obstructed airway. This could be due to a large tongue, excessive fat around the neck, facial and dental abnormalities.” 

Snoring, he said, is considered a common phenomenon and people tend to think that if someone is snoring, they are having a deep sleep which is not true. “Snoring could be a symptom associated with OSA; 50% of snorers can have OSA,” he said.

Roshan Kumar, assistant professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, said, “There is normal habitual snoring that could be due to reasons such as nasal obstructions and nasal polyps. This may not impact routine life. Then, there is snoring due to OSA. Here, snoring is a symptom and impacts individuals in more than one way. It could affect their personal and professional lives.”