Latest news with #obstructivesleepapnoea
The Independent
10-08-2025
- Health
- The Independent
The ancient ritual that could help improve your sleep
An ancient ritual involving the forceful blowing of a conch shell could offer a surprising, non-invasive treatment for a widespread sleep disorder, according to new research. Known as shankh blowing, the practice involves a deep inhalation followed by a powerful exhalation into the spiral-shaped shell of a sea snail. Researchers suggest this technique could significantly improve sleep for individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), potentially negating the need for cumbersome medical equipment. Obstructive sleep apnoea, which affects an estimated eight million people in the UK, occurs when the throat muscles relax and narrow during sleep, leading to symptoms such as loud snoring, choking noises, and frequent awakenings. The findings stem from a small trial conducted in India, involving 30 participants aged between 19 and 65, all diagnosed with OSA. For the trial, 16 people were provided with a traditional shankh used in yogic practices and trained in how to use it properly before taking it home, while the remaining 14 people were asked to carry out deep breathing exercises. Both groups were encouraged to practice for a minimum of 15 minutes five days a week. They were monitored during sleep and asked questions about sleep quality and how tired they felt during the day. After six months, the study found those who practised shankh blowing reported sleeping better and were 34 per cent less sleepy during the day. They also had higher levels of oxygen in the blood during the night and had four to five fewer apnoeas, where breathing stops during sleep, per hour on average. They also had higher levels of oxygen in their blood during the night. Dr Krishna K Sharma, of the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur, India, said: 'The way the shankh is blown is quite distinctive. 'It involves a deep inhalation followed by a forceful, sustained exhalation through tightly pursed lips. 'This action creates strong vibrations and airflow resistance, which likely strengthens the muscles of the upper airway, including the throat and soft palate, areas that often collapse during sleep in people with OSA. 'The shankh's unique spiralling structure may also contribute to specific acoustic and mechanical effects that further stimulate and tone these muscles.' Continuous positive airway pressure (Cpap) machines are the first line of treatment for OSA. They involve patients wearing a mask that blows pressurised air into the nose and throat while they sleep. However, they can be uncomfortable. Speaking of Cpap, Dr Sharma said: 'While effective, many patients find it uncomfortable and struggle to use it consistently.' He suggests shankh blowing could be a 'promising alternative'. 'Shankh blowing is a simple low-cost, breathing technique that could help improve sleep and reduce symptoms without the need for machines or medication,' Dr Sharma said. Researchers are now planning a larger trial involving several hospitals. Dr Sharma added: 'This next phase will allow us to validate and expand on our findings in a broader, more diverse population and assess how shankh blowing performs over longer periods. 'We also want to study how this practice affects airway muscle tone, oxygen levels and sleep in greater detail. 'We're particularly interested in comparing shankh blowing with standard treatments like Cpap, and in examining its potential help in more severe forms of OSA.' Reacting to the findings, Professor Sophia Schiza, head of the ERS group on sleep disordered breathing, based at the University of Crete, Greece, said: 'We know that OSA patients have poor quality of sleep, and higher risks of high blood pressure, strokes and heart disease. 'A proportion of patients experience sleepiness during the day. 'While Cpap and other treatments are available based on careful diagnosis of disease severity, there is still need for new treatments. 'This is an intriguing study that shows the ancient practice of shankh blowing could potentially offer an OSA treatment for selected patients by targeting muscles training. 'A larger study will help provide more evidence for this intervention which could be of benefit as a treatment option or in combination with other treatments in selected OSA patients.'
Malay Mail
05-08-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
When the bedroom splits: The rise of sleep divorce in Malaysia — Julius Goh Liang Chye
AUG 5 — It started like many clinic visits. A middle-aged man, visibly drained, walked in with his wife. They were polite, even affectionate — but beneath the surface, something was cracking. 'I forced him to come,' the wife confessed. She looked tired, not just from lack of sleep, but from holding it together. 'His snoring is deafening. He thrashes at night. I'm scared I'll get hurt in my sleep.' For months, they'd tried to endure it — until she quietly moved into the spare room. What began as a temporary measure became their new normal. They no longer shared a bed. Their connection was fraying. Even plans to have children were now on pause. It's a situation I've seen far too often: couples emotionally adrift because of poor, untreated sleep. The medical term? Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. But socially, this emerging phenomenon has taken on a new name — sleep divorce. The quiet separation Despite its dramatic tone, sleep divorce doesn't imply a legal split. It simply means couples choose to sleep in separate beds or rooms to get better rest — often due to snoring, restlessness, mismatched schedules, or preferences like room temperature and mattress firmness. At first glance, it may sound like a modern, pragmatic solution. After all, who wouldn't want uninterrupted rest? But sleep divorce is a double-edged sword. While some couples report sleeping better, many find their relationship quietly suffering — intimacy fades, emotional distance grows, and resentment builds. A rising trend — even in Malaysia Globally, the numbers are climbing. In the United States, about 31 per cent of adults admit to sleeping apart at least occasionally. Among younger couples aged 35–44, that figure rises to nearly 40 per cent. More than half of those who try it say their sleep quality improves — some even gaining up to 37 extra minutes of rest per night. But this isn't a clear win. Around 20 per cent report that separate sleeping arrangements make their relationship feel worse. And that's the crux: sleep divorce solves one problem while sometimes creating another. While there's limited data in Malaysia, it's likely we're seeing similar trends. Increased awareness of sleep disorders, especially Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), means more people are recognising that their partner's restlessness or snoring isn't just annoying — it might be a sign of something serious. Globally, OSA affects about 1 in 5 adults. While some couples report sleeping better, many find their relationship quietly suffering as intimacy fades, emotional distance grows, and resentment builds. — Freepik pic What couples often miss Sleep issues don't start — or stop — in the bedroom. Left untreated, conditions like OSA can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and chronic fatigue. More subtly, it chips away at our patience, focus, and emotional resilience — qualities every relationship depends on. That's why ignoring the problem rarely helps. Loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, and frequent awakenings aren't just quirks — they're red flags. The earlier couples seek help, the more likely both sleep and relationships can be salvaged. There are effective treatments: lifestyle changes, CPAP machines, dental appliances, or even minor surgeries. Many couples who pursue treatment report returning to the same bed — not just to sleep better, but to reconnect. Beyond sleep: Preserving the relationship Of course, not every couple is ready — or able — to fix the root issue right away. In such cases, sleeping apart can be a short-term relief. But it shouldn't be the final destination. One approach is to build bedtime rituals that preserve emotional closeness even when physically apart. For example, winding down together before retreating to separate rooms, or syncing morning routines. Simple gestures — a shared cup of tea, a quiet chat — can anchor intimacy, even if the bed is no longer shared. It's also worth recognising the stigma some Malaysians still carry about sleeping apart. In our culture, where multigenerational homes are common and marital harmony is often measured by surface unity, separate beds can feel like taboo. But silence only worsens the divide. Talking openly — without blame — is crucial. Sleep is deeply personal, and so is love. Navigating the two requires kindness, curiosity, and sometimes, professional guidance. Is it sleep divorce — or something deeper? You may be heading toward sleep divorce if: You or your partner have quietly relocated to the sofa or spare room. Sleep-related arguments have become frequent. There's growing fear or discomfort about sharing a bed. Daytime fatigue is affecting your health or work. Physical intimacy has declined, and emotional connection feels weaker. Sleep divorce isn't a sign of failure. But it is a sign that something needs attention. The way forward We often think of love as grand gestures — anniversaries, gifts, holidays. But often, it's found in smaller acts: adjusting the fan speed for someone else, sleeping a little less so your partner sleeps more, or finally making that doctor's appointment. Sleep problems are medical issues. But their impact is deeply emotional. The good news? They're often treatable. If restlessness, snoring or exhaustion are keeping you and your partner apart, don't brush it off. Seek help. You might find that solving the sleep issue brings you closer — not just in bed, but in life. * Dr Julius Goh Liang Chye is a clinical lecturer and consultant otorhinolaryngologist at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
