‘CMRI’ Kolkata’s Wake-Up Call for Sleep Apnea Patients….

Kolkata (West Bengal), 12 March 2025: On the observance of World Sleep Day, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI Kolkata organized an interactive session with doctors and patients highlighting the concept of “Sleep Well, Live Well!’ along with the launch of a Sleep Apnea Support Group. The session stressed the early diagnosis and treatment, as well as lifestyle modification for better sleep health.

Sleep apnea presents a very serious yet oftentimes not diagnosed medical condition, which has affected millions of Indians in their sleep. The numbers increase each year. The condition refers to the constant pause and resume of breathing during sleep, impaired oxygen supply into the body, and reduced body function. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can give rise to severe cardiovascular complications, such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke; metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity; and upon mental wellbeing complications comprising anxiety, depression, and cognitive dysfunction, accompanied by tremendous day fatigue, loss in productivity, and plethora accidents.

This interactive session with the patients led by Dr. Raja Dhar, Director and Head of the Department of Pulmonology, and Dr. Arup Halder, Consultant Pulmonologist at CMRI Kolkata, brought forward the different issues of the patients suffering from sleep apnea and also the doctors pointed out that it is a common disorder but is rarely diagnosed and can be life-threatening. Both pointed out that snoring if often considered just an annoying bother, could just be a telltale sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an ailment wherein respiration stops and starts repeatedly through the course of sleep, thereby reducing airflow to the lungs. When OSA is left untreated, it can complicate with very serious medical conditions, mainly hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and metabolic disorders.
Dr. Arup Halder commented on the dangers presented by sleep apnea: “It’s that condition that disturbs the very rhythm of life-breathing and sleeping. On this World Sleep Day, it needs to discover its toll and motivate early diagnosis and treatment. Whether by lifestyle modification, CPAP therapy, or surgical intervention, sleep apnea must be treated for the preservation of well-deserved peaceful nights and wholesome days.”

Dr. Raja Dhar expressed quite the same sentiments in not so many words: “Across the globe, sleep disorders affect over 10% of the population, translating to an occurrence of more than 200 million patients in India alone. Research suggests that nearly 50 million Indians are suffering conditions such as sleep apnea and insomnia. However, a majority remains undiagnosed. This lack of awareness brings dire consequences in the long run, such as cardiovascular disorders, metabolic disorders, and impaired cognitive function. Sleep-related problems are already rising at an alarming state in India, making early screening, lifestyle modifications, and medical interventions imperative for this threatening rise.The significance of quality sleep and health needs to be emphasized. If you or someone around you snores loudly and experiences excessive fatigue during the day or wakes up at night with choking sensations, seeking medical help can change everything. Protecting our health and well-being in the future means fighting sleep disorders.”
To respond to the growing concerns, CMRI Kolkata has now launched a dedicated Sleep Apnea Support Group for long-term assistance and community support for individuals to lead a healthier life.