Let’s not ignore when the patient snores in clinic: An alarming call for oral health care professionals

摘要

Sleeping well is a fundamental right to any individual to maintain good physical and mental health. If that is so, should we mind when a patient dozes off in the medical units or dental reception? In layman’s terms inadequate sleep is the likely reason but as responsible oral health care professionals interpreting in terms of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), is a sensible approach. EDS is not a disease rather it’s a serious symptom linked with various disorders. It’s alarming that around 42 million people are victims of sleeping disorder in United States.1 Potential causes include Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), insomnia, narcolepsy, sedatives, psychiatric disorders and restless leg syndrome. OSA is claimed as the most common reason of EDS. OSA candidate present difficulty in breathing owing to defective pharyngeal dilator muscles that eventually obstruct the upper airways (UA). Blockage of airflow enforces them to wake up in night and wherein the patients are not aware of the constant arousals. Irregularity in breathing and deprived sleep leads them to be categorized as ‘sleepy patients’. Press reports have revealed that people in Malaysia are able to afford only 6.4 hours of sleep per 24 h, which considerably affects their routine activity.2 It is sad to know that 10-20% of male adults and 7-9% of children of Malaysian population is victims of sleeping disorder.3 Though commonly seen in the middle-aged adults and obese candidates, mutually the male and female genders are affected. Read more. . .