In a major step towards creating awareness about the advancements in sleep health, Manipal Hospitals, among the top healthcare service providers of India, hosted an exclusive medical event bringing together senior doctors from multiple specialties like Dr. Dipankar Datta, Senior Consultant ENT and Sleep Apnea Surgeon, Manipal Hospital, Broadway to discuss advancements in sleep health, focusing on early diagnosis, treatment options, and the impact of sleep disorders like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) on overall well-being. The event was organized as a postlude to World Sleep Day, observed globally on March 14th. The event was attended by Chief Guest, Dr. Vijaya Krishnan, President of the Indian Association of Surgeons for Sleep Apnea (IASSA), who shared his varied experiences in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and innovative surgeries that are transforming medical discourse around patient outcomes.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition where the airway becomes blocked at times during sleep. This seemingly invisible struggle can severely impact people’s quality of life and can cause fatality. OSA not only causes repeated interruptions in breathing but also causes disruptive loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, and morning headaches. This condition frequently remains undiagnosed and results in serious health issues like heart disease, hypertension, and mental retardation. Obesity has been established as a major risk factor for sleep Apnea across the globe, but, in the Indian subcontinent, genetic factors often complicate the diagnosis. For those with anatomical blockages, alternative interventions such as surgery may be necessary.
Dr, Dipankar Datta, Senior Consultant ENT and Sleep Apnea Surgeon, Manipal Hospital, Broadway stated, “Sleep Apnea is not just about loud snoring—it can severely impact heart health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. Although CPAP machine gives temporary relief, they are uncomfortable and expensive. Surgery, however, provides a permanent solution by removing structural obstructions in the upper airway so that patients can sleep without any external support. The surgery is minimally invasive and dramatically enhances the quality of life.”
A key highlight of the discussion was the role of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE), a cutting-edge diagnostic tool that helps pinpoint the exact level of obstruction from Sleep Apnea. During this procedure, the patient is put to sleep under controlled anesthesia, replicating natural sleep-like conditions. A malleable fiber-optic endoscope is then passed from the nostrils down to the throat, enabling physicians to monitor structural obstructions in real-time. Depending on these observations, specific customized surgical procedures can be done to cure sleep Apnea and snoring permanently so the patient no longer has to be dependent on any external devices for a good night’s sleep.
Dr. Vijaya Krishnan, President of the Indian Association of Surgeons for Sleep Apnea (IASSA) stated, “DISE has revolutionized Sleep Apnea diagnosis by allowing us to observe the exact site of obstruction while the patient is in a sleep-like state. With this level of precision, we can tailor surgical solutions for each individual, ensuring a much higher success rate and a significant improvement in their quality of sleep and overall health.”
Ganesh Jana, a real estate businessman in his 60s, shared his journey to recovery. “My daughter was the first to notice my sleep issues. She saw that I would stop breathing momentarily in my sleep, and I would often wake up feeling exhausted,” said Mr. Jana. “She brought me to Dr. Datta, and after a thorough evaluation and sleep study, I underwent surgery. It feels like a fresh start. I am no longer dependent on any machine. Rather I am getting quality sleep at night and taking care of my business with renewed energy.”
Early detection is crucial for the treatment of Sleep Apnea. By bringing together patients and top specialists, this event offered a platform for extensive discussions on enhancing patient care. With growing awareness, early diagnosis, and availability of state-of-the-art treatments, the process of ‘From Rest to Recovery’ is now more within reach than ever before for patients grappling with sleep disorders.
