QA
Q: How important is sleep? A: We sleep 30% of our lifetime and it is so common that nobody thinks about it. The basic adult human need is seven to eight hours of good sleep. There is no shortcut – body biochemistry needs the full amount, and undisturbed sleep is required for optimal recovery and next- day performance.
Q: What causes lack of sleep and what are its consequences? A: Lack of undisturbed sleep could be caused by health issues (pain, cardiac or lung disease) or disorders such as Circadian Rhythm Abnormality, which is when a person is unable to sleep and wake at the times required due to common lifestyle challenges like irregular work shifts and jetlag. Other disorders include Insomnia or Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a rising topic and health issue at the moment. It is a disorder
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with Dr. David White, Chief Medical Officer, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions
Dr. White was first appointed Chief Medical Officer for Respironics, Inc. in May 2006 and continues his role following the March 2008 acquisition by Philips. Dr. White is responsible for clinical research strategies and programmes, advising senior management on key medical issues, and serving as a liaison between Philips Home Healthcare Solutions group and the sleep and respiratory medical communities. He spoke to Arab Health magazine about the importance of sleep and the increasing problems associated with Sleep Apnea.
characterized by airway collapse behind the tongue during sleep, which obstructs breathing. This can cause snoring, labored breathing, gasping and choking. This airway collapse followed by attempts to breathe, can lead to a fitful and restless night’s sleep. Sleep apnea can also cause headaches, a shortened attention span, memory loss, poor judgment, and sleepiness. If untreated, it may contribute to the development of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. Approximately 5-6% of the adult population is affected by Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and 70% of them are still undiagnosed. People need to take sleep much more seriously.
Q: How is Obstructive Sleep Apnea linked to diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases? A: People with disturbed sleeping patterns wake up tired and sleepy, therefore skipping exercise and also becoming less active in their everyday life, causing weight gain which may eventually lead to obesity. Lack of adequate sleep may also affect the chemicals
in the body that affect appetite making sleep-deprived individuals hungry. Obesity is one of the main causes
of cardiovascular diseases. However, treatment of OSA may reduce the risk of developing these types of pathologies and help patients protect their heart and arteries.
Q: What are Philips’ solutions to treat sleep disorders? A: Obstructive Sleep Apnea can usually be effectively treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, a non-invasive approach, which is the preferred treatment. CPAP provides a gentle flow of air pressure through the nasal passage using a mask, preventing airway collapse to allow an OSA patient to breathe freely during sleep. The CPAP device is equipped with various
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