KARACHI  - There are more than 80 sleeping disorders with varied degrees of influence on the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of the sufferers, said experts at the inauguration of Sleep School 2012, at Dow University of Health Sciences on Monday.Highlighting the relevance of the course on sleep related medical and non-medical intervention, offered through the Sleep School 2012 project of DUHS, they said the disorder could not be ignored as it was directly linked to the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the people. Dr Pamela Hamilton-Stubbs, CEO at Sleep Clinic for Children and Adults, said the sleeping disorders range from basic snoring to severe sleep apnea. “Sleep apnea worldwide is mostly undiagnosed and effects millions in developed and non-developed countries,” said the expert.Dr Hamilton said that sleep problems are increasingly recognised as an important manifestation of different diseases.Impaired sleep quality and short sleep duration, may be associated with decline in overall health and can also cause mortality, warned the speaker mentioning that social and demographic influences are important for sleep attainment.With regard to Occupation Sleep Medicine, she said that it is a new field within sleep medicine and is closely linked to the science of sleep.“This encompasses mathematical modelling, tactics, techniques, producer of sleep and performance measurement in the operation environment,” said the expert. The clinical practice of Sleep Medicine will play a crucial role in fatigue risk management.In short term it improves performance, productivity and safety while in longer term it improves workers’ health and wellbeing.Dr Saifullah Baig said many sleep disorders cause an increase in daytime sleepiness and an increase in road traffic accidents. “It is associated with many systemic disorders like hypertension,” he said. Dr Baig said that the course had been arranged in collaboration with Philips Respironic to build knowledge and expertise about sleep medicine. “The course focuses on the needs of the physicians and technicians who want to develop skill in sleep medicine practice,” he said.Vice Chancellor of DUHS, Prof Dr Masood Hameed Khan said the concept of sleep medicine belonged to the second half of the 20th century. “It is a recognised sub-specialty in the west but in our country it is a neglected field,” he said.The VC said the DUHS had taken initiative to establish first public sector sleep laboratory at its Ojha campus, where a specialised and experienced team of dedicated sleep professionals would provide the highest quality of care for the evaluation and treatment of people with sleep disorders. “Vision is to provide state of art facility at affordable price to all,” he said. Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases Director Dr Iftikhar Ahmed said the course would raise awareness among the participants about sleep disorders, help them in understanding and diagnosing the problem in general and hands on training will help them in building skill.