The cost of sleepless nights

There is a health concern unfolding across India each night, often without visible symptoms, and it is not receiving the attention it deserves.

- DR PREETHA REDDY

Insomnia, defined as the persistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep, is steadily emerging as a significant public health issue across the world.

Studies indicate that nearly one in three adults experience symptoms of insomnia, while a smaller but important proportion live with chronic sleep disorders that affect daily functioning. In India, it is not uncommon for individuals to consult a physician promptly for a persistent cough, yet endure months of poor sleep without seeking care. As a result, sleep disorders remain among the most under-recognised and under-treated conditions.

The World Health Organization is increasingly focusing on noncommunicable diseases, and India has one of the largest burdens of these conditions. While most of us think of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cancer, sleep disorders are often overlooked. Yet they are more common than many of these conditions and can significantly worsen these co-morbidities.