Joint effort tackles sleep disorders
Experts from two nations are pooling their efforts to understand and treat conditions linked to seven of the top 15 leading causes of death.
Sleep researchers at Flinders University in South Australia have identified that:
A healthy diet high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and nuts reduces the risk of sleep apnoea and associated conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.
Adults who regularly eat an unhealthy diet that is high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, starch, and salt have increased risk of poor sleep and sleep apnoea.
Middle-aged men who regularly snore at night are more likely to have elevated blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension, even if they don’t have sleep apnoea.
Non-drug interventions such as weighted blankets improve sleep, reduce medication and enhance mood.
Experts from India and Australia have joined forces to help improve the quality of life for people affected by sleep disorders.
Sleep researchers, physicians, representatives from professional sleep medicine associations, and other delegates from Apollo Hospitals recently met at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation in health research.
The group has established the Australia-India Sleep Health Collaborative Initiative to foster bilateral relationships and address challenges in sleep health by promoting the implementation of sleep medicine clinics in India.
There will also be a focus on developing innovative care models that integrate some traditional Indian Ayurvedic principles with modern practices.
Shantha Rajaratnam, professor of sleep and circadian medicine and head of the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University in Melbourne, co-hosted the meeting with Apollo Hospitals.
Clinical Professor Garun Hamilton, respiratory and sleep disorders physician at Monash Health, said this approach presents a unique opportunity to address sleep disorders, such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and circadian rhythm disorders, on a global scale.
“This roundtable will strengthen Australia-India engagement in sleep and circadian health research by establishing a network of experts from both countries to facilitate ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange,” Professor Rajaratnam said.
“Addressing this growing public health crisis requires a multifaceted approach. There is an urgent need for personalised healthcare models and evidence-based, non-pharmacological treatments.
“This underscores the profound impact of sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances on overall health and mortality risk, and the importance of including sleep health as a core component of a preventive health framework.”
Research has shown that insufficient sleep is a critical public health concern with far-reaching consequences.
Reduced sleep duration is associated with at least seven of the 15 leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, and accidents.
In India, sleep disorders have reached alarming levels, with recent studies indicating a substantial burden of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Estimates suggest that about 52 million Indians of working age suffer from OSA, with 29 million experiencing moderate-to-severe cases.
Compounding this issue, an estimated 37% of older adults in India experience insomnia, highlighting the widespread nature of sleep disturbances across age groups.
Related reading: Monash, Flinders
