Impairment of sleep leads to diseases

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 01, 2009

International Sleep Day celebration conducted

PHOTO: R. M. RAJARATHINAM

SLEEP IS CRUCIAL: Dean of KAPV Medical College and AGM Government Hospital N. Balasubramanian (Centre) handing over the first copy of the book on ‘Sleeping Disorders’ to S. Paneerselvam, Head and Professor of Medicine, at Tiruchi on Tuesday. Author M.A. Aleem, Head and Professor, Department of Neurology, is also seen in the picture.



Impairment of sleep leads to diseases

TIRUCHI: The cause for one in six road accidents is sleep deprivation. Early morning accidents occur due to this factor, according to M.A. Aleem, Head and Professor, Department of Neurology, K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College and Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital.
Dr. Aleem on Tuesday attributed the 1986 Challenger shuttle tragedy and the Chernobyl disaster the same year to human error caused by sleep deprivation.
As part of the International Sleep Day celebration organised by the Department and Medical Education Unit (MEU), Dr. Aleem provided insights into the theme of World Sleep Day 2009: Transportation, focusing on safety, travel and driving alertness.
Over-usage of mobile phone, watching television during sleep hours, consumption of narcotic drugs and alcohol are the factors that work against safe travel, Dr. Aleem said, explaining that impairment of sleep also leads to diabetes, hypertension, memory disturbances and overweight.
The World Sleep Day declaration is: sleepiness and sleeplessness constitute a global epidemic that threatens health and quality of life; so much can be done to prevent and treat sleepiness and sleeplessness, and professional and public awareness are the first steps to action.
Inaugurating the awareness programme, N. Balasubramanian, Dean, KAPV Govt. Medical College and AGM Government Hospital, released a book on ‘sleeping disorders’ authored by Dr. Aleem. The first copy was received by S. Paneerselvam, Head and Professor of Medicine. Providing information on the myths and realities of sleep, the book deals with snoring, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and other health problems, and suggests the methods of overcoming the problem.
N. Pugalendhi, Deputy Superintendent, AGM Govt. Hospital; R. Kumar, Vigilance Officer, and P.R. Prabu Elango, Vice-Principal and MEU Coordinator offered felicitations.