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Amaal Mallik, the talented singer and music composer has bravely opened up about his struggles with sleep apnea while living in the Bigg Boss 19 house. This serious sleep disorder causes his breathing to stop and start repeatedly throughout the night, leaving his body oxygen-deprived. To manage this condition, Amaal relies on a trusty CPAP machine every night which delivers a steady flow of pressurised air to keep his airways open.

In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Akshay Budhraja, Senior Consultant & HOD, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Aakash Healthcare explained about the sleep apnea, its causes and symptoms.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea as the name suggests is a breathing disorder that happens during sleep. In this condition, a person’s breathing stops multiple times throughout the night, for anywhere from two seconds to a few minutes each time. During this time, their oxygen level drops and the person often wakes up briefly to start breathing again. This cycle repeats throughout the night and as a result, they can’t get a good night’s sleep and often feel drowsy in the morning.

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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is relatively common in our country; however, it often goes undiagnosed and untreated. The condition is prevalent among men than women and tends to affect older men more than younger people. Additionally, obese people are at a higher risk as compared to those with a healthy weight. Studies show that the incidence of OSA in India ranges from 3.7% to 21%, highlighting that it's a significant issue affecting a sizable portion of the population.

Signs And Symptoms

People with obstructive sleep apnea are likely to experience headaches, not feel refreshed and have decreased energy. They may feel excessively sleepy and even fall asleep while sitting or driving, which can lead to accidents. If you or someone you know frequently wakes up with headaches, feels groggy, struggles with daytime sleepiness or dozes off in meetings or while driving, it could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. It's especially important for those who are obese or have uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure to be aware of these symptoms.

ALSO READ: Sleep Apnea: Expert Advice On Recognising Warning Signs And Knowing When To Seek Help

Additionally, it is a serious health issue that can impact various parts of the body. It can lead to problems like uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure, and it may increase the risk of stroke and heart attacks. There are various other health conditions linked to obstructive sleep apnea.

While the condition cannot be cured, but it can be managed effectively with a CPAP machine. It helps keep your airway open while you sleep, making it easier to breathe. Your healthcare provide will carry out a sleep study to figure out the right pressure settings for you to use the CPAP device at night.