The Hidden Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnoea with Professor Ram Dhillon
Did you know there’s more to snoring than meets the eye? Are you familiar with sleep apnoea?
Despite its prevalence, sleep apnoea often goes undetected, with up to 80% of cases remaining undiagnosed. Surprisingly, up to 10 million people in the UK and an estimated 22 million adults in the United States are believed to suffer from sleep apnoea.
In this “Health and Wellbeing” episode, Professor Ram Dhillon delves into obstructive sleep apnoea. Many people mistakenly think of sleep apnoea as merely snoring, but it’s a serious medical condition. Over the past 20 years, the incidence of sleep apnoea has risen significantly due to the Western lifestyle, impacting individual productivity and having broader medical, economic, and social implications.
Sleep apnoea can elevate your risk of severe health issues, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available.
Government intervention in treating sleep apnoea could lead to a healthier population, increased productivity, and a stronger economy. By investing in awareness campaigns, diagnostic programs, and accessible treatments, governments can help reduce the burden of this condition. A healthier population means fewer medical expenses, a more productive workforce, and overall economic growth.
Tune into this podcast to learn more about sleep apnoea. If you suspect you might have this condition, it’s crucial to see a doctor for testing. Early diagnosis and treatment can enhance your sleep quality and reduce your risk of serious health problems.
Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.
Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Introduction music: (Music credit: https://freesound.org/people/TheoJT/sounds/569783/)
About Professor Ram Dhillon
Professor Ram Dhillon MBBS (Lon); FRCS (RCS Eng.) is a Consultant ENT Surgeon with a Special Interest in Snoring & Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. He is also an Associate Professor at Plymouth University, School of Medicine & Dentistry. He qualified from University College, London, in 1978. He was appointed Consultant ENT Surgeon for London NorthWest University Hospitals NHS Trust (formerly Northwick Park Hospital) in 1989. His major interest is in voice disorders and Snoring/Sleep Apnoea. Former Advisor to the Department of Health, UK, on Sleep Apnoea, Dhillon lectures extensively on Sleep Apnoea, represent ENT UK and is the Lead Clinician on the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Sleep Apnoea.
Dhillon is an Associate Professor at Plymouth University School of Medicine and Dentistry involved in Postgraduate Medical Education. Within ENT, his major interest, for over 25 years, has been in Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). This is both in the NHS and private sector, at his base in Central London, in the world-renowned medical district of Marylebone. His patients come from the UK, but he also has a wider international patient base. He was previously a committee member of the UK National Health Service (NHS) Department of Health on Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
He regularly provides presentations for the medical profession on “Sleep Disorders”. He delivers “well-being” sessions related to the importance of sleep to the lay public and the workforce of major public and private organisations.
Ram Dhillon is the Chairman of the British Cardiac Research Trust, a charity that supports research into Cardiodiabetes, since 2014 and raised over £500k of research funds. He is the lead author of “The Illustrated Colour Text of ENT & Head & Neck Surgery”, which has been in print since 1991 and is now in its 4th edition.
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