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.”
Specs
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'Will%20of%20the%20People'
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
More from Aya Iskandarani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
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Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Squads
India (for first three ODIs) Kohli (capt), Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav, Rahane, Dhoni, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Umesh, Shami.
Australia Smith (capt), Warner, Agar, Cartwright, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Faulkner, Finch, Head, Maxwell, Richardson, Stoinis, Wade, Zampa.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
The%20specs
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ATP WORLD No 1
2004 Roger Federer
2005 Roger Federer
2006 Roger Federer
2007 Roger Federer
2008 Rafael Nadal
2009 Roger Federer
2010 Rafael Nadal
2011 Novak Djokovic
2012 Novak Djokovic
2013 Rafael Nadal
2014 Novak Djokovic
2015 Novak Djokovic
2016 Andy Murray
2017 Rafael Nadal
2018 Novak Djokovic
2019 Rafael Nadal
All Blacks line-up for third Test
J Barrett; I Dagg, A Lienert-Brown, N Laumape, J Savea; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).
Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, M Fekitoa.
Match info
Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')
Southampton 0
More on Quran memorisation:
Results
4pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Dirt); 1,400m
Winner: Solar Shower; William Lee (jockey); Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
4.35pm: Handicap; Dh165,000 (D); 2,000m
Winner: Thaaqib; Antonio Fresu; Erwan Charpy.
5.10pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Turf); 1,800m
Winner: Bila Shak; Adrie de Vries; Fawzi Nass
5.45pm: Handicap; Dh175,000 (D); 1,200m
Winner: Beachcomber Bay; Richard Mullen; Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,800m
Winner: Muzdawaj; Jim Crowley; Musabah Al Muhairi
6.55pm: Handicap; Dh185,000 (D); 1,600m
Winner: Mazeed; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,200m
Winner: Riflescope; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
