India, Feb. 22 -- In a landmark moment for Indian medicine, Mumbai hosted the country's first-ever International Sleep Surgery Conference from February 20-22, bringing global attention to a health condition that often goes undiagnosed but has far-reaching consequences. The conference was organised by Dr Vikas Agrawal, a name synonymous with the evolution of snoring and sleep apnea surgery in the world, and for publishing novel techniques followed by surgeons worldwide. The event featured faculty and delegates from across the world, making it one of the most significant gatherings in the field of sleep medicine and sleep surgery ever held in the country. The conference was inaugurated by Justice D Y Chandrachud, former Chief Justice of India, who emphasised on the growing recognition of sleep health as not just a medical issue, but a major public health and societal concern. Speaking about the motivation behind organising the conference, Dr Agrawal highlights some sobering facts. Nearly one-third of the Indian population is estimated to suffer from sleep apnea, a condition characterised by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, and even sudden death. Despite these risks, awareness remains low, and many patients dismiss nose block, loud snoring and daytime fatigue as harmless. Children who snore or breathe through their mouth are disregarded as having simple cold, but this can lead to poor performance and sleep apnea later in life. Sleep apnea is also a major but often overlooked cause of road traffic accidents. Excessive daytime sleepiness significantly impairs alertness, making drivers vulnerable to micro-sleeps and delayed reactions. Addressing sleep apnea, therefore, has implications not only for individual health but also for public safety. Dr Agrawal emphasises on the necessity of sleep test before issuing a driving license. The silver lining Dr Agrawal says, is that sleep apnea is both diagnosable and treatable, especially when detected early. Modern diagnostic tools such as in-clinic CT scans, sleep studies, and sleep endoscopy allow precise identification of the problem. Advanced technologies like coblation have refined surgical treatment, making procedures safer, more effective, and less invasive. The procedure can be painless and bloodless and can be performed even on children. He calls on insurance companies to cover all treatment modalities for sleep apnea. By hosting this conference in India for the first time, Dr Vikas Agrawal hopes to raise awareness among the public and medical professionals alike and ultimately ensure that millions of Indians can breathe, and sleep better....