After a long day at work at the Information Technology firm, one might step back home, exhausted and relieved to be back. One might try to unwind — watch something on TV or scroll through the phone; or just sit in silence. The mind refuses to settle, dwelling on unfinished tasks. Sleep is elusive, even as one lies in bed.
“Irregular lifestyles, poor eating habits, and increasingly busy routines make for individuals suffering from sleep disorders, even without even realising it,” says Dr Harshini Errabelli, founder of Sleep Therapeutics and an interventional pulmonologist.
Sleep deprivation, the doctor explains, results from inadequate or poor-quality sleep. It can have serious consequences on both mental and physical health.
It impairs the ability to focus, reduces alertness, and slows reaction time, making daily functioning more challenging.
Common symptoms of sleep deprivation include difficulty concentrating, impaired cognitive ability, mood changes such as irritability, anxiety, and depression, poor judgment, daytime sleepiness, and even micro-sleep — brief, unintended episodes of sleep.
The effects of sleep deprivation extend beyond temporary drowsiness, significantly impacting long-term well-being. Cognitive function declines, making it difficult to multi-task, learn, and retain information.
Emotional instability and heightened stress, anxiety, and depression are also common.
Disruptions in appetite and metabolism can contribute to weight gain and obesity, while long-term sleep deprivation raises the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Additionally, sleep deprivation is closely linked to mental health conditions, including an increased risk of depression and other psychiatric disorders.
To deal with sleep disorder, Dr Harshini started Sleep Therapeutics, a pioneering center specialising in sleep medicine. She offers comprehensive treatment for various sleep disorders, including snoring, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleepwalking.
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Sleep Therapeutics
“As the first of its kind clinic in the Telugu states, Sleep Therapeutics embraces an integrated, holistic approach to patient care,” Dr. Harshini said. The centre’s first branch is located in Jubilee Hills; a second was officially inaugurated on Friday, 7 February, at Kukatpally.
“My primary goal is to create awareness about sleep medicine and diagnose sleep disorders such as snoring, sleeplessness, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, lack of energy, headaches, body pains, and even more complex conditions like narcolepsy. Whether it is a basic evaluation or an advanced diagnostic approach, our focus is on identifying and addressing these issues effectively,” Dr Harshini said.
She said sleep studies are used to diagnose and treat conditions like sleep apnea. Additionally, a wide range of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices are used when necessary, besides collaborative work with dentists to address snoring-related dental issues and ENT surgeons to perform skeletal surgeries or correct airway narrowing to reduce snoring.
“Sleep Therapeutics is not just about one doctor or one specialty — it is a comprehensive platform designed to raise awareness about sleep disorder, counsel patients on stress management and lifestyle modifications, and provide accurate diagnoses for both simple and complex sleep-related diseases. Our treatment approach is interdisciplinary, involving pulmonologists, sleep specialists, pediatric surgeons, ENT specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and many more. We strongly emphasise lifestyle modifications because, at the core of good health, the foundation is sleep,” Dr Harshini said.
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The second centre was inaugurated by former teachers of Dr Harshini, including Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Corbetta from the University of Florence and Prof. Dr. Piero Candoli from the University of Bologna, both pulmonology experts, who were chief guests at the inauguration programme. Both teachers also motivated Dr Harshini to set up the centre.
“Becoming a pulmonologist allows you to specialise in sleep medicine, as it is integrated into pulmonology in the Indian medical curriculum. Approximately 70% of sleep disorders are related to sleep apnea, giving pulmonologists a unique advantage in diagnosing and treating these conditions,” said Dr Harshini.
She pointed out that while seeing patients in the clinic, she observed that only one in 200 patients required an advanced procedure, and about one in 100 were diagnosed with a chronic illness. “However, one in five patients experienced sleep-related issues. Unfortunately, many do not take these issues seriously, which is why raising awareness is crucial,” she said.
“My goal has always been to ensure patients recognise the importance of sleep health, receive proper diagnoses, and get effective treatment. With this ambition in mind, we started Sleep Therapeutics. While many doctors address sleep-related problems, our focus is on providing dedicated, priority care to these patients,” she said.
Boianapalli Vinod Kumar, former MP and former Vice-Chairman of Telangana State Planning Board, who was also a guest at the inauguration of the centre, said there are societal consequences to sleep disorders — snoring has led to divorce, he said, and insomnia contributes to traffic accidents.
He stressed that the lack of awareness about sleep issues remains a major societal challenge and called for both increased awareness and technological progress.
“Sleep deprivation heightens the risk of accidents, as impaired mental function and micro-sleep contributes to an increased likelihood of car crashes and workplace errors. Addressing sleep deprivation is crucial for overall health, as sufficient rest is essential for both physical and mental well-being,” he said.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
