News

Singapore deploys kiosks to help diagnose sleep apnea

March 17, 2011

Singapore has been celebrating World Sleep Day, which is March 18, by deploying self-assessment kiosks throughout hospitals to help its citizens find out if they are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA.

According to Todayonline.com, the first kiosk was installed March 1.

OSA sufferers stop breathing repeatedly during sleep, which happens when the upper airway is blocked by a large tongue or extra tissue in the throat.

Symptoms include loud snoring, choking during sleep, poor memory, feeling irritable and excessive daytime sleepiness.

An estimated 15 percent of the country's population suffer from OSA, but the number of patients is expected to rise with increased awareness of this condition.