A sleep lab, the first-of-its kind in teaching hospitals in South India, has been opened at the Government General Hospital here.
V.C Nannapaneni, founder of the trust, said that the high-end version Phillips sleep lab equipment, including polysomnography, was provided in the lab.
Superintendent, GGH, D S Raju Naidu, Principal, GMC, G Subbarao, Natco coordinator Sadasivarao, and executive engineer Y. Ashok were present.
Set up with a generous donation of ₹ 20 lakh from the Natco Trust,the sleep lab has facilities to carry out research on sleep disorders.
Head of Department of Neurology N.V Sundarachary said that the sleep lab identification of the cause of individual’s poor sleep and sleep-related ailments and initiate treatment.
Growing problem
“Our physical health, mental health, safety, well-being, decision making and getting along with others depend on quality of our sleep. So lack of sleep can have short-term effects and long-term effects on an individual and in society over time.’ Lack of sleep can predispose to obesity, hypertension, strokes and heart attacks. Most of the age-related ailments can also be curtailed by quality sleep,’’ said Dr. Sundarachary.
It is estimated that about 20% of the people around the world suffer from sleep disorders and this condition is on the rise in developing countries like India.
Changing lifestyle like working in odd hours, personal and family worries, business-related anxiety affect sleep leading to sleep disorders.