"Open Your Eyes to Sleep" is the theme for World Sleep Day being observed on March 21. The programme aims at creating awareness among general public about the importance of sleep. The venue is Auditorium, Working Women's Hostel, Sir Ganga Ram Hostel, New Delhi. Also free consultation will be available with Sleep Specialist, Pulmonologist, Cardiologist, Endocrinologist and a Psychiatrist.

Elaborating the role of sleep in an individual's life Dr. Manvir Bhatia, Senior Consultant Neurology, Chairperson - Sleep Medicine said, "Still many people don't realise the importance of sleep cycle. So we have planned to awake public consciousness on this issue."

Dr. Bhatia pointed out that sleep and other ailments are linked together. She stated, "Day and night are linked through sleep. A bad night without sleep is reflected the next day in loss of concentration, inability to perform at peak levels, lethargy and headaches. These are short-term problems. If you consider long term ill effects, this can pave way for cardiac problems, stroke, and High blood pressure too."

Giving an insight, she adds, "Sleep is a physiological process that occupies a third of our life span. It is an active state important for renewing our mental and physical health each day. Sleep disorders lead to a lesser quality of life and reduced personal health. There are more than 70 types of sleep disorders. The disorders can range from excessive sleepiness during the day; poor sleep at night (not feeling fresh after waking) and abnormal behaviour (sleep talking, sleep walking, violent acts, etc) at night. An untreated sleep disorder can reduce daytime productivity; increase risk of accidents, untimely illness and even early death. The presence of loud snoring particularly if accompanied with pauses is a potential risk factor for high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and major cause of road traffic accidents."

Shifting her attention to sleep disorder in children Dr. Bhatia says, "Sleep disorders not only adversely affect physical health but mental health as well. Personality changes, memory loss, limited attention span; poor judgment and lethargy may all be signs of a sleep disorder. In addition, sleep disturbance can lead to inattention, hyperactivity, and is a contributing factor to poor scholastic performance in children. The disorders have protean manifestations and therefore are seen by specialists of various disciplines - e.g. ENT, Cardiology, Psychiatry, Chest Medicine, Paediatrics, etc. However, all departments work together, as this is a multi-disciplinary specialty"

When asked about treatments for this disorder, she informed "The evaluation and treatment of a patient with sleep disorders require an assessment by a specialist in sleep disorders. And, if necessary, followed by an overnight sleep study in a Sleep Laboratory where overnight diagnostic sleep study, CPAP titration and Multiple Sleep Latency tests are performed."

The department is actively involved in research, and has an ongoing ICMR project for "Determining the prevalence of sleep disorders in our country."

The most common ones are Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, Insomnia and Periodic Limb Movement during Sleep Syndrome, Restless Legs Syndrome and Narcolepsy.