Expert warns over sleep problems

Melissa Hack is worried about growing obesity levels in Wales

Fears that Wales could fall behind England in dealing with sleep disorders have been voiced by a leading expert.

Dr Melissa Hack warned that growing levels of obesity in Wales could lead to a rise in sleep disorder sufferers.

On Tuesday Dr Hack, from the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, helped launch a bill to highlight the need for UK government action.

Dr Hack hopes to use this impetus to ensure similar measures are brought in for Wales.

In Wales and England, about 770,000 people are affected by sleep disorders.

The sufferer has repeated collapses at the back of the throat during sleep, which stops them breathing Dr Melissa Hack

Dr Hack, a consultant in chest medicine at the Royal Gwent who also lectures on sleep medicine, said she was concerned about the impact of rising levels of obesity in Wales.

Recent figures showed that 72% of adults did not undertake recommended levels of physical activity.

In December, Welsh Sport Minister Alun Pugh warned that if attitudes to health did not change the Welsh NHS could be "overwhelmed by a tidal wave of obesity" in a few years' time.

Sleep disorders affect an estimated 2-4% of men

Dr Hack said some of the most severe cases of sleep disorders she had seen were in Wales, and that provision for sufferers was "patchy".

She has already given a presentation to Ruth Hall, chief medical officer for Wales, and Assembly Members.

The Sleep Apnoea Bill, which aims to ensure sleep disorders are diagnosed and treated, was launched by MP Alice Mahon on Tuesday.

"We can use the national impetus of the bill to start talks with the Welsh assembly," Dr Hack told BBC Wales News Online.

"Approximately two thirds of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) sufferers are overweight," she explained.

"In OSA the sufferer has repeated collapses at the back of the throat during sleep, which stops them breathing.

"This can occur up to 500 times a night, and often results in daytime sleepiness.

"With obesity on the increase, it is likely that we will see an increase in the number of OSA sufferers."

Dr Hack estimated that around 2 - 4% of adult men, and 1 - 2% of women are affected by sleep disorders.

Ms Mahon said excessive daytime sleepiness caused by sleep apnoea could result in road accidents, accidents at work and in sufferers losing their jobs.