Study conducted by Philips Healthcare and Respironics to mark World Sleep Day reveals 90% Asians are:

Sleep deprived

More than 100 million people globally suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Chronic sleep or respiratory conditions can have devastating effects if not treated or diagnosed, and it is estimated that 80 percent of patients with OSA remain undiagnosed, which can impact long-term health by turning sleep or breathing into a burden.

Sleep debt is a global problem

While the occasional sleepless night can be frustrating and inconvenient, people who consistently suffer from inadequate sleep can experience poor academic or work performance. According to a 2015 Philips Respironics survey that surveyed people in 10 countries, 96 per cent said sleep was valuable to them and 87 per cent ranked sleep as an influence on their overall health and wellbeing; however of those surveyed, only 17 per cent consistently slept through the night.

Over 90 per cent of Asians are sleep deprived, get less than 8 hours of sleep per night and more than 54 per cent of Sleep Apnea patients are already suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the sleep cycle. These interruptions, called apneas, are caused by the collapse of soft tissue in the airway, which prevents oxygen from reaching the lungs. Weak muscles in the airway, a large tongue, obesity, and other factors may cause airway tissue to collapse and obstruct breathing. Sleep apnea disrupts the sleep cycle and can dramatically impact energy, mental performance, and long term health. In some cases, if left untreated, sleep apnea can be fatal.

You are at risk for sleep apnoea if you have the following

Night-time symptoms: Loud persistent snoring, pauses in breathing Choking or gasping for air during sleep, restless sleep or frequent visits to the bathroom

Daytime symptoms: Early morning headaches, excessive daytime fatigue, poor concentration, depression or irritability sleepiness during routine activities In recent years, Philips has made a significant effort to encourage people to be screened for OSA and other sleep disorders. Philips offers a host of resources to patients on its site www.sleepapnea.com showing a continued dedication to improving the lives of patients suffering from OSA or other serious sleep disorders. Along with its online resource, Philips encourages people with poor sleep habits to take an online risk assessment test to determine their risk level for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Globally, it is estimated that 100 million people suffer from OSA, with an overwhelming 80% of them remaining undiagnosed. The online risk assessment tool is designed to recommend those at high risk for OSA follow up with their healthcare provider.

Philips' commitment to sleep therapy started in 1985 with the first commercial Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. Now, the company offers a suite of simple to advanced fixed CPAP, auto-CPAP, and bi-level therapy systems that help to improve comfort and compliance for sleep-disordered breathing patients. In addition, Philips' complete line of nasal, full-face, minimal-contact, and paediatric CPAP masks reflect the company's commitment to innovation and meeting patient and business needs, with various styles available for comfort, compliance and mobility.