Lucknow: Doctors emphasized the importance of quality sleep for overall health during a program organized on World Sleep Day at the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. The event was held on March 13 at Shatabdi Hospital Phase-2 to raise awareness about sleep-related disorders and their impact on health.
The program was led by the department head Dr. Ved Prakash, who highlighted that identifying sleep-related illnesses is crucial as they significantly contribute to the rising incidence of heart disease and worsen conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. He stressed that awareness and proper information in society are essential, adding that in the race for success people should not ignore the importance of proper sleep.
World Sleep Day is observed annually to increase awareness about sleep disorders and their impact on health. The observance has been promoted by the World Sleep Society since 2008 and is marked on the Friday closest to the spring equinox each year. In 2026, it was observed on March 13 under the theme “Sleep Well, Live Better.”
Experts noted that nearly 40 percent of adults worldwide suffer from insomnia, the most common sleep disorder. Another major disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, affects around 3 to 7 percent of adults and often remains undiagnosed. Globally, about 930 million adults are estimated to be affected by this condition, with nearly 420 million experiencing moderate to severe symptoms. Sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, stroke and depression.
Doctors also pointed out that untreated sleep disorders can lead to several complications including high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, obesity, memory problems and reduced daytime productivity. Other conditions such as restless legs syndrome affect about 2 to 3 percent of adults, while 4 to 5 percent experience issues like sleepwalking or sleep-related anxiety.
Symptoms of sleep disorders include excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking at night, loud snoring, breathing difficulties during sleep, headaches, fatigue, irritability, memory issues and abnormal behavior during sleep.
Diagnosis usually involves a detailed medical history, physical examination and specialized tests. The most accurate method is a sleep study, which records brain activity, eye movement, heart rate, breathing patterns and body movements during sleep.
Doctors advised that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, weight management, yoga and appropriate medical interventions such as breathing support devices, oral appliances or surgery when required, can help manage sleep disorders.
The Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at KGMU has advanced facilities for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, including a modern 64-channel sleep laboratory where overnight sleep studies are conducted.
Several specialists attended the program, including Dr. Rajendra Prasad from Era University, cardiologist Dr. Rishi Sethi, geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Shrikant Srivastava, neurologist Dr. Rajesh Verma and ENT specialist Dr. Anupam Mishra. Other doctors present included Dr. Sachin Kumar, Dr. Arif, Dr. Anurag Tripathi, Dr. Ratna Tyagi, Dr. Yash Jagdhari, Dr. Deepak Sharma and Dr. Shubhra Srivastava.
At the end of the program, experts urged people to prioritize adequate and quality sleep as a key pillar of a healthy lifestyle.
