A latest examine has make clear the prevalence of sleep issues in Türkiye, with a mean of 4 million individuals grappling with sleep-related points. Among these issues, sleep apnea, characterised by respiration interruptions throughout sleep, in addition to “narcolepsy,” a situation resulting in sudden daytime bouts of sleepiness, have emerged as severe issues significantly.
In an unique interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), professor Dr. Hikmet Fırat, Head of the Sleep Disorders Center at Ankara Etlik City Hospital and a specialist in Chest Diseases shared, “Within our center, we are dedicated to diagnosing and treating a wide spectrum of sleep disorders, with 84 different disorders under our purview. Among our patients, the most commonly reported issues include sleep apnea, characterized by breathing cessation during sleep, disruptive snoring, and debilitating daytime drowsiness.”
Fırat emphasised the pivotal function of their middle, the place sufferers are sometimes saved in a single day for complete analysis. During these classes, their sleep patterns and respiration are meticulously monitored. Depending on the analysis, therapies vary from the usage of specialised respiration gadgets, oral silicone plaques, to pharmaceutical interventions – all designed to revive sound sleep.
Elaborating on the basis causes of those issues, Fırat stated: “Approximately 60% of sleep disorders are attributed to breathing disturbances during sleep, with movement disorders during sleep ranking second. Conditions like restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movement disorder disrupt healthy sleep patterns, causing individuals to struggle with morning wakefulness and daytime sleepiness.”
Highlighting the various origins of sleep motion issues, Fırat identified: “These movement issues can be linked to factors such as iron deficiency, the use of antidepressant medications, or various other triggers. Symptoms may include restless nights, waking up to tangled sheets, evening leg restlessness, as well as pain and tingling sensations.”
Fırat additionally raised issues in regards to the extreme implications of narcolepsy, saying: “Narcolepsy is a rare yet grave condition. It compels individuals to succumb to sudden sleep episodes, even during activities requiring alertness, like sitting or chatting. This poses significant risks, particularly for those engaged in tasks demanding heightened concentration. To diagnose narcolepsy, we conduct both nocturnal and daytime sleep tests.”
He emphasised that narcolepsy, primarily a genetic dysfunction, requires constant medicine to alleviate extreme sleepiness. He added: “There is no singular cause for this ailment, making it crucial to manage with medication. Patients need ongoing treatment to maintain their well-being.”
In phrases of prevalence, Fırat highlighted: “The incidence of sleep apnea in Türkiye hovers around 4%, taking the entire population into account. However, when we narrow it down to individuals over 40 years of age, males, or those who are overweight, this percentage skyrockets. In such specific demographics, we estimate that there are roughly 4 million sleep apnea patients in our country.”
Furthermore, Fırat famous that kids can also expertise sleep issues, albeit usually associated to adenoid issues which can be typically treatable.
Source: www.dailysabah.com