Introduction
Sleep disorders are silent threats and surprisingly common, says Dr Jirayos Chintanadilok, a sleep medicine specialist at MedPark Hospital, who recently revealed the results of the “MedPark Save Doctor’s Sleep Quality” project. The study found that 80% of 279 participants were diagnosed with sleep apnea, with 56% experiencing moderate levels, characterized by breathing pauses occurring 15 times an hour.
“It’s staggering that most participating physicians have sleep apnea at different levels. Heavy responsibilities and shift work can cause sleep disorders that negatively impact performance and patient care effectiveness such as misdiagnosis,” Dr Jirayos said.
Understanding Sleep Apnea
Dr Jirayos explained that some people might feel that they sleep well because they can fall asleep quickly. In fact, that might be merely because they are tired. Research shows that people with moderate sleep apnea have increased risks of health problems including cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, brain health issues, depression, anxiety disorder, and mood swings.
Case Study: Dr. Jaijan Somjai Hiranwatananon
Jaijan Somjai Hiranwatananon, a paediatric neurologist at the National Institute of Health of Thailand, who participated in the MedPark Save Doctor’s Sleep Quality project, said that she and her husband, a surgeon, joined the campaign to learn about sleep tests and advanced technology.
Both were confident they were in good health and had no sleep problems. They were wrong. The test revealed that she had mild sleep apnea while her husband had a moderate level.
Conclusion
This study highlights the importance of sleep health, especially among medical professionals. The findings suggest that even those who believe they are healthy may be at risk. Regular sleep evaluations and awareness can help mitigate these risks.
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