From 18 to 20 February 2012, Saad Specialist Hospital had an educational promotional booth to shed light on sleep disorders. The booth was on the ground floor of the Outpatient Clinic Building and patients and visitors were encouraged to visit the booth to find out more about sleep disorders.
Dr Fouad Al-Tamimi, Consultant Pulmonologist, Consultant Critical Care Medicine, and Section Head of Sleep Medicine, said that the booth was part of Saad Specialist Hospital’s commitment to providing medical information in an accessible way. The booth provided information about sleep disorders, such as snoring, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and night terrors.
Dr Tamimi explained that a sleep disorder is any condition that prevents us from getting sufficient sleep to the degree that it affects our activities during the day. Neglecting treatment for sleep deprivation may result in medical complications such as elevated blood pressure, irregular heart rate, and heart failure.
Dr Tamimi said that everyone has to get enough sleep because lack of adequate sleep can lead to unpleasant consequences, such as morning headaches, excessive daytime sleeping, a sense of being uncomfortable, deteriorating performance at work, mood swings, and irritability.
He continued, “In spite of the increasing incidence of the consequences of sleep disorders, such as feeling sleepy, exhausted, or fatigued, and falling asleep in public places, some people consider these symptoms to be normal components of regular sleep. Due to the lack of awareness of the importance of sleep, they consider that going to a sleep disorders clinic is a luxury.”