Lucknow, March 8 -- Loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness and pauses in breathing during sleep are important warning signs of obstructive sleep apnoea. Experts say early diagnosis can help prevent serious complications such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. The concerns were highlighted during a CME-cum-hands-on workshop on "Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Polysomnography" organised by the department of Pulmonary Medicine at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences on the occasion of World Sleep Day, which is observed on March 13. The programme was conducted under the aegis of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) - UP Chapter, the Indian Chest Society (ICS) - UP Chapter, and the Snoring and Sleep Related Breathing Disorders Society (SSDS). Prof Ajay Kumar Verma, head of Pulmonary Medicine at RMLIMS, delivered the welcome address and said that sleep health is now recognised as an important pillar of cardiovascular health and overall well-being. During the programme, experts discussed different aspects of sleep apnoea and its treatment. Dr Vibha Gangwar spoke about the importance of proper sleep for good health. Dr Anil Kumar Singh explained how sleep apnoea is diagnosed and how sleep study reports are interpreted. Dr Hemant Kumar highlighted the role of PAP therapy and medicines in treatment. Dr Ashish Jha from the cardiology department at RMLIMS spoke about the impact of sleep apnoea on heart disease and other health problems. Prof Sarika Gupta from King George's Medical University said that snoring in children should not be ignored as sleep apnoea can also affect children. Dr Devendra Chopra discussed the role of dental devices and selected surgical procedures in managing the condition. Prof Rajendra Prasad, pulmonologist at KGMU, spoke about the rising number of sleep apnoea cases in India and said public awareness about the disorder remains low. The workshop was inaugurated by prof CM Singh, director of RMLIMS. He highlighted the strong link between obesity and sleep apnoea, stating that 70-80% of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea are obese and up to 90% of obese individuals may have the condition, though many cases remain undiagnosed. A hands-on training session was also conducted during the workshop where doctors trained participants in sleep report scoring, interpretation of polysomnography and the practical use of PAP devices for treating sleep apnoea. During the event, prof Rajendra Prasad was also felicitated by Prof CM Singh for his contributions to respiratory medicine....