The Sleep Doctor

Singapore is one of the most sleep-deprived countries in the world. Dr Kenny Pang of Asia Sleep Centre is helping people wake up to the importance of quality sleep

-  Coco Marett.

We know, we know. What could be more snore-inducing than a story that is literally about the science of sleep? But for an overwhelming number of Singaporeans, improving sleep quality can be a matter of life and death.

“Singapore happens to be the nation with the highest number of cases of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which is characterised by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep,” says Dr Kenny Pang, the director and consultant at Asia Sleep Centre and an ear, nose and throat specialist. “One-third of the [Singaporean] population is affected. It’s a real problem.”

Pang explains that in severe cases of OSA, people stop breathing and their blood pressure goes up, putting them at risk of a stroke, heart attack, hypertension and even increased risk dying in their sleep.