Experience of Patients Presenting with Sleep related Breathing Disorder to a Public Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Sleep disorder breathing (SDB) is common problem worldwide. Its strongassociation with obesity makes it likely that sleep related breathing disorders(SRBDs) will continue to rise exponentially in the future. Previously it wasthought that it affects only adult population but now we know that it is a disease of pediatrics population and even the newborns. It affects both gendersalthough male are more affected by SRBDs. Symptomatology varies from nosymptoms to sleeping during driving, resulting in injuries and even death of anindividual. It has association with many systemic diseases and this list isgrowing day by day as we are gaining more and more knowledge of SRBDs. Ingeneral, weight loss is single most effective strategy but it is difficult to achieveand maintain. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is first line medicaltherapy but compliance is the main issue with this therapy. More public,medical, social and electronic awareness is required for early diagnosis andtreatment of SRBDs particularly in developing world like Pakistan.