Sleep labs work to make Delhiites snooze better

Sleep laboratories are reportedly registering a 100 per cent increase in business every year. Out of 300 such labs in the country, nearly one sixth are concentrated in city alone.

These labs study sleep disorders mimicking patient’s natural sleep environment. And on the eve of World Sleep Day, Deccan Herald talked to experts about the city’s ever-expanding sleep management market and problems leading to uneasy nights.
Dr Sanjay Manchanda of Sir Gangaram Hospital, an expert in sleep medicine said there are roughly 90 types of sleep disorders affecting nine to 10 per cent of Indian population over the age of 35. Diabetic or cardiac patients are susceptible to these disorders.
Sleep apnoea

Loud habitual snoring due to shallow breathing is a common problem. Doctors say that it is a signal to a life threatening sleep apnoea, which has 68 per cent prevalence rate in people with sleep disorders, and is considered potentially life threatening.

Bidur Dhaul, Senior Director at Philips Healthcare that runs maximum sleep labs in the city says that with the rise in awareness and affordability, the businesses is growing.
A sleep lab charges between Rs 12,000 and Rs 22,000 for monitoring and treatment of various disorders.

Doctors are now realising that erratic sleep can trigger high blood pressure, cardiac problems, immunity disorders and road accidents.

“Lot of disorders are poorly diagnosed and goes untreated. Many people rely on over-the-counter sleeping pills,” said Manchanda.

The health insurance cover in the country does not include sleep apnea. And unlike the emerged economies, test for sleep apnea — one of the major causes of road accidents — is not mandatory for getting a driver’s licence.

Dhaul said that his organisation is lobbying with the regulators to bring in the changes.
DH News Service