Sleep Disorders in Hyderabad:
Polysomnography, Diagnosis & Treatment at KIMS

Yes — loud snoring combined with unrefreshing sleep despite adequate time in bed is the most classic presentation of obstructive sleep apnoea. The snoring is the sound of the airway partially collapsing; the unrefreshing sleep reflects the dozens to hundreds of micro-arousals each night as the brain briefly wakes to restore airway muscle tone after each apnoea. A polysomnography or home sleep test at KIMS measures the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) — the number of breathing interruptions per hour — and confirms the diagnosis. CPAP therapy eliminates the apnoeas, restores normal sleep architecture, and typically produces a dramatic improvement in daytime energy and functioning within 1–2 weeks. Call 040-44885000.

Narcolepsy typically begins in adolescence or young adulthood. The excessive daytime sleepiness of narcolepsy is qualitatively different from normal tiredness: it is sudden, irresistible sleep attacks that occur without warning in stimulating situations, followed by brief refreshing sleep and then recurrence within 1–2 hours. If your son also has brief episodes of muscle weakness triggered by laughter, surprise, or strong emotion (cataplexy — even if subtle, like a slight knee-buckle or head drop when laughing), narcolepsy with cataplexy (Type 1) is the most likely diagnosis. At KIMS, the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) — a formal daytime nap study — confirms narcolepsy by documenting sleep-onset REM periods occurring abnormally quickly. Call 040-44885000.

What you are describing is REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD). In RBD, the normal muscle paralysis of REM sleep fails, and the person physically acts out their dream content. This is dangerous: falling out of bed, punching or kicking a bed partner, and striking furniture during vigorous dream enactment have caused significant injuries. The neurological significance extends beyond the immediate safety risk: RBD is a prodromal marker of Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia in approximately 80–90% of cases over 10–15 years. At KIMS, RBD is diagnosed by polysomnography, bed safety modifications are recommended immediately, and a long-term neurological monitoring programme is initiated. Call 040-44885000.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and nocturnal leg cramps are distinct and often confused. RLS: an uncomfortable urge to move the legs (crawling, tingling, or creeping sensations), occurring at rest (particularly when sitting or lying down), worse in the evening and night, and partially relieved by movement. The urge to move is the defining feature — not pain. Nocturnal leg cramps: sudden, involuntary, painful muscle contractions (usually calf muscles) lasting seconds to minutes, resolved by stretching. RLS also differs from peripheral neuropathy (constant, positional-independent symptoms) and peripheral vascular disease (pain on walking, not at rest). At KIMS, RLS is diagnosed clinically using the four IRLSSG criteria and serum ferritin is measured as the first investigation. Call 040-44885000.

Simple snoring is noisy breathing during sleep without breathing interruptions, oxygen desaturation, or arousals. OSA is repeated complete or partial airway collapse causing pauses in breathing, drops in oxygen saturation, and micro-arousals throughout the night. The clinical clue is unrefreshing sleep despite adequate hours plus witnessed apnoeas or daytime sleepiness. A polysomnography at KIMS distinguishes the two: an apnoea-hypopnoea index of 5 or more confirms OSA.

Yes — direct sleep-clinic appointments are accepted. Outpatient: 040-44885000 (Mon–Sat). If you have prior sleep studies, bring the AHI report and the original polysomnography traces. CPAP machines from any manufacturer can be reviewed and re-titrated at the KIMS sleep laboratory.

Initial consultation is 30–60 minutes. A full in-laboratory polysomnography is an overnight stay in the sleep laboratory. The MSLT (for suspected narcolepsy) is a daytime study following the overnight polysomnography. Home sleep apnoea testing for uncomplicated OSA is done over a single night at home. Reports are typically available within 1–2 weeks.

Yes. Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common secondary cause of treatment-resistant hypertension, and increases stroke risk 2–3 times and atrial fibrillation risk 3–4 times. CPAP therapy reduces blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. Any patient with unexplained hypertension and snoring should be tested for OSA at KIMS.

RBD occurs in the second half of the night from REM (dream) sleep; behaviour is purposeful, mimicking dream content (punching, kicking a real attacker). Sleepwalking occurs in the first half of the night from deep NREM sleep; behaviour is confused and non-purposeful. EEG during the episode confirms which stage. The neurological significance is completely different: RBD predicts Parkinson's disease in 80–90% of cases; sleepwalking does not.