Of the several types of sleep disorders, sleep apnea is one of the most common, along with insomnia. Known as a “sleep-awake” disorder, sleep apnea can cause sufferers to stop breathing for between 10 seconds and two minutes mid-nod. In severe cases, according to the Cleveland Clinic, someone with this condition could wake up 240 times during an eight-hour sleep cycle.
Is sleep apnea dangerous?
“While breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, sleep apnea is a relatively common disorder,” says Dr Arvind Gaddameedi, specialist endocrinologist at Aster Clinic in Dubai. “These pauses, often lasting 10 seconds or more, can reduce oxygen levels in the blood and disrupt sleep quality.”
The most frequent form of the disorder is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the throat muscles relax and temporarily block the airway. There is also the less common central sleep apnea, in which the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Dr Gaddameedi adds: “Sleep apnea is indeed dangerous in that it can lead to a range of health problems. Over time, it puts strain on the cardiovascular system, raising the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and even heart failure. Additionally, it causes daytime fatigue, which can lead to accidents and affect mental health.”
Signs and symptoms
Because sleep apnea affects not only the type and quality of sleep, but also physical and mental health when the sufferer is awake, there are a range of conscious and unconscious symptoms to look out for.
“When it comes to sleep-centred symptoms, snoring, waking up multiple times with a choking sensation, heart burn, night sweats and restlessness are the most common,” says Dr Rashmi Fernandez, specialist otolaryngologist at Rak Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah.
In children, symptoms may present as snoring, teeth grinding, bed wetting, drooling, choking, sweating at night, laboured breathing, learning and behavioural issues at school, and daytime sleepiness.
Missing out on quality sleep can have damaging effects, both mentally and physically, during daylight hours. “Chronic lack of quality sleep, such as that caused by sleep apnea, can lead to heightened emotional reactivity and reduced ability to manage stress,” says Devika Mankani, psychologist at The Hundred Wellness Centre Dubai.
“Individuals may experience mood disturbances, such as increased irritability, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Over time, sleep deprivation also affects cognitive functions including attention, memory and decision-making. These psychological effects often create a feedback loop, where the stress from poor sleep quality exacerbates mental health challenges, further impacting sleep,” explains Mankani.
Cause and effect
The sleep disorder comes about from a range of causes, including physiological functions and lifestyle choices. “Several factors increase the risk of sleep apnea, including being overweight, having a thick neck circumference, a family history of the condition, nasal congestion, and lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol use,” says Dr Ahmed Alkasmi, specialist pulmonologist at Aster Hospital, Sharjah.
Dr Waseem Dar, specialist neurologist at RAK Hospital, says: “Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. Obese individuals are four times at the greater risk of obstructive sleep apnea than those in a normal weight range. A 10 per cent weight gain is associated with a 30 per cent increase in risk of sleep apnea.
“Obesity predisposes to sleep apnea through the narrowing effects of upper airway fat on the pharyngeal lumen. It also reduces chest wall compliance and decreases lung volumes resulting in loss of traction on upper airway structures.” For women, the condition may also be tied to weight gain due to polycystic ovary syndrome.
“Excess body weight, especially around the neck, is a major risk factor because it can narrow the airway,” says Dr Gaddameedi. A small airway aside, other anatomical factors such as large tonsils or a recessed jaw can also contribute. Other reasons include old age, diabetes and asthma.
Dr Fernandez adds: “In general, men are two to three times more likely as premenopausal women to have obstructive sleep apnea. However, the risk of obstructive sleep apnea increases in women after menopause.”
Medical and tech interventions
“Several effective treatments exist for sleep apnea, often based on severity,” says Dr Gaddameedi. “Continuous positive airway pressure is a commonly prescribed device that uses gentle air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. There are also oral appliances, which are custom-fitted devices that shift the jaw or tongue slightly forward to keep the airway open.”
Surgical intervention is also a choice, says Dr Alkasmi, and these procedures remove tissue or reposition the jaw to improve airflow or implant devices to support the airway.
New technologies have also emerged to complement or start to replace the bulky and often noisy continuous positive airway pressure machine. In October, a sleep apnea tracker was added to the Apple Watch to help identify moderate to severe cases of the disorder. “The watch uses the accelerometer to monitor small movements at the wrist that are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns, measured by a new metric called Breathing Disturbances,” said the company. “Users can view their nightly Breathing Disturbances in the Health app on the iPhone and iPad, where they are classified as elevated or not elevated, and can be viewed over a one-month, six-month or one-year period.”
Sleep Revolution, a $15 million project funded by the EU, uses AI to assess sleep apnea and tailor treatments for individuals. Patients are given smart wearables with data tracked via an app, allowing for longer term, at-home, multi-night diagnosis unavailable in hospitals and sleep clinics. The results of the four-year trial will be out in 2025.
Moving diagnosis from hospital to home opens up the possibility of doing multi-night diagnosis, which is too expensive for most to do in a clinical setting. This makes it possible to detect sleep quality and changes in severity different nights and observe people's more natural sleep.
Lifestyle changes and sleeping positions
Before considering surgery or even gadgets, though, experts recommend putting some lifestyle hacks into action. Primary among these is to lose weight: “Dropping even a small amount can reduce pressure on the airway and lessen symptoms,” says Dr Gaddameedi.
Also high on the list of most effective actions are quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol, particularly before bedtime. “Habits such as regulating sleep schedule, treating existing nasal allergies, minimising the use of opioid medications and sedatives, and increasing physical activity can also help,” says Dr Dar.
Sleep positioning is another useful hack. For those with mild sleep apnea, the condition could worsen if you lay on your back. Sleeping on your side using a specialised pillow for support can prevent the tongue and soft tissue from collapsing into the airway.
Adding in a holistic approach can also benefit. “Alongside medical treatments for sleep apnea, practices such as mindfulness meditation, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), and relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation can be beneficial,” says Mankani. “These methods help reduce anxiety around sleep and promote relaxation.”
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Results
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The%C2%A0specs%20
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
More on animal trafficking
The specs
Engine 60kwh FWD
Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power 204hp Torque 360Nm
Price, base / as tested Dh174,500
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
INFO
Everton 0
Arsenal 0
Man of the Match: Djibril Sidibe (Everton)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
SCORES IN BRIEF
New Zealand 153 and 56 for 1 in 22.4 overs at close
Pakistan 227
(Babar 62, Asad 43, Boult 4-54, De Grandhomme 2-30, Patel 2-64)
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Racecard
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