Sunday, September 21, 2014
Dr Pang's major contribution to the International Sleep Medicine Field
Monday, May 21, 2012
Sleep interrupted by Dr Kenny Pang
Sleep is a very basic human need.
The average human spends about six to eight hours - about a third of a day - sleeping.
Hence, we spend about a third of our life sleeping - 26 years for the average Singaporean who lives to the age of 80 - yet so many of us take sleep for granted.
The mechanism of and reason for sleep are still not fully understood despite extensive research.
It used to be believed that humans have to sleep for the body to get rest. However, we are aware currently that sleep is meant for the brain to rest and be rejuvenated.
This usually occurs during a phase of sleep called dream sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
On average, dream sleep comprises about 25to 30 per cent of the entire sleep cycle in an adult, and the rest is non-dream sleep or non-REM sleep.
In a child, dream sleep may be as high as 50per cent of the entire night's rest.
It is well-accepted that dream sleep is the most important element in the sleep process, for well-being, memory rebuilding, rejuvenation and mental alertness. Hence, dream sleep is vital to the human mind and body.
Simplistically, dream sleep results in a highly active brain in a 'paralysed' body.
This prevents us from acting out our dreams, but works against someone with a narrowed airway.
When obstructed, the upper airway - the nose and throat - has a major impact on one's sleep pattern and quality, which in turn affects one's health and quality of life.
Any swelling or obstruction in the nose results in turbulent airflow and breathing difficulty, and more negative pressure is required to inhale air into the lungs.
The higher negative pressure in the throat - a dynamic structure that acts as a conduit to channel air from the external environment into the lungs - creates a vacuum effect and causes the throat muscles to collapse.
Any part of the throat - palate, walls, tonsils and tongue - that becomes enlarged or swollen also obstructs breathing.
These effects are more pronounced during sleep, as one's muscles become completely relaxed and flaccid.
The spectrum of diseases related to reduced airflow through the upper airway during sleep is known as sleep disordered breathing, which includes snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Snoring occurs when turbulent airflow causes soft tissues to vibrate. For example, obese patients often snore because they frequently have a thick and fatty soft palate and throat walls, which vibrate during sleep.
Snoring does not cause patients to stop breathing or feel tired during the day.
Obstructive sleep apnoea, however, causes snoring, breathing pauses, a lack of oxygen and daytime sleepiness.
In Singapore, the incidence of obstructive sleep apnoea is estimated to be about 15 per cent.
The very important sleep component of dream sleep will not be able to take place if the body is deprived of the fundamental basic need for oxygen. This results in interrupted sleep, sleep fragmentation and poor sleep quality.
Common patient complaints include early morning tiredness and morning headaches from the low oxygen levels, and dry mouth and throat in the morning from mouth-breathing and snoring.
During the day, patients are excessively sleepy, have poor concentration and memory and become irritable or moody.
Other symptoms include forgetfulness, depression, irritability and, less commonly, impotence in men.
During the night, patients may complain of frequent awakenings with a choking and gasping sensation, nocturia (frequent passing of urine at night), or nightmares.
Dr Kenny Pang is the president of the Asean Sleep Surgical Society. He invented two surgical techniques to treat snoring and sleep apnoea and has written more than 32 papers in international journals and 12 chapters in American textbooks.
For more information, please check online on www.straitstimes.com
The average human spends about six to eight hours - about a third of a day - sleeping.
Hence, we spend about a third of our life sleeping - 26 years for the average Singaporean who lives to the age of 80 - yet so many of us take sleep for granted.
The mechanism of and reason for sleep are still not fully understood despite extensive research.
It used to be believed that humans have to sleep for the body to get rest. However, we are aware currently that sleep is meant for the brain to rest and be rejuvenated.
This usually occurs during a phase of sleep called dream sleep or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
On average, dream sleep comprises about 25to 30 per cent of the entire sleep cycle in an adult, and the rest is non-dream sleep or non-REM sleep.
In a child, dream sleep may be as high as 50per cent of the entire night's rest.
It is well-accepted that dream sleep is the most important element in the sleep process, for well-being, memory rebuilding, rejuvenation and mental alertness. Hence, dream sleep is vital to the human mind and body.
Simplistically, dream sleep results in a highly active brain in a 'paralysed' body.
This prevents us from acting out our dreams, but works against someone with a narrowed airway.
When obstructed, the upper airway - the nose and throat - has a major impact on one's sleep pattern and quality, which in turn affects one's health and quality of life.
Any swelling or obstruction in the nose results in turbulent airflow and breathing difficulty, and more negative pressure is required to inhale air into the lungs.
The higher negative pressure in the throat - a dynamic structure that acts as a conduit to channel air from the external environment into the lungs - creates a vacuum effect and causes the throat muscles to collapse.
Any part of the throat - palate, walls, tonsils and tongue - that becomes enlarged or swollen also obstructs breathing.
These effects are more pronounced during sleep, as one's muscles become completely relaxed and flaccid.
The spectrum of diseases related to reduced airflow through the upper airway during sleep is known as sleep disordered breathing, which includes snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Snoring occurs when turbulent airflow causes soft tissues to vibrate. For example, obese patients often snore because they frequently have a thick and fatty soft palate and throat walls, which vibrate during sleep.
Snoring does not cause patients to stop breathing or feel tired during the day.
Obstructive sleep apnoea, however, causes snoring, breathing pauses, a lack of oxygen and daytime sleepiness.
In Singapore, the incidence of obstructive sleep apnoea is estimated to be about 15 per cent.
The very important sleep component of dream sleep will not be able to take place if the body is deprived of the fundamental basic need for oxygen. This results in interrupted sleep, sleep fragmentation and poor sleep quality.
Common patient complaints include early morning tiredness and morning headaches from the low oxygen levels, and dry mouth and throat in the morning from mouth-breathing and snoring.
During the day, patients are excessively sleepy, have poor concentration and memory and become irritable or moody.
Other symptoms include forgetfulness, depression, irritability and, less commonly, impotence in men.
During the night, patients may complain of frequent awakenings with a choking and gasping sensation, nocturia (frequent passing of urine at night), or nightmares.
Dr Kenny Pang is the president of the Asean Sleep Surgical Society. He invented two surgical techniques to treat snoring and sleep apnoea and has written more than 32 papers in international journals and 12 chapters in American textbooks.
For more information, please check online on www.straitstimes.com
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Dr Kenny Pang - Volunteer Work
Dr Kenny Pang has been a volunteer at the Kim Seng Community Clinic for the poor from 1994 to 2003, where he ran free night clinics for the poor.
Dr Kenny Pang graduated in 1994 from the Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He attained his Fellowship exams from both the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and Ireland in 1999 and 2002 respectively.
He also passed his Masters of Medicine (Otorhinolaryngology) in 2001. Dr Pang completed 6 years of ear, nose and throat surgical training, and was accredited as an ENT surgeon/specialist in 2004.
Dr Pang completed a year of sleep surgery and sleep medicine fellowship in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Georgia Sleep Centre, Medical College of Georgia, United States of America.
He is well trained in treating all forms of sleep disorders, including snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep walking, night terrors, bed wetting, and parasomnias.
Dr Pang is a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Surgical Modification Task Force. He has published over 25 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and written over 10 chapters in the various American textbooks. He has also been invited as a speaker in the various sleep surgery courses both regionally and in America.
He was the course director for Asia’s first ever sleep surgery course in November 2006. He was the key investigator in a multi-centre trial investigating a new minimally invasive technique for the treatment of OSA. He has also introduced a new modified surgical technique in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.
Dr Pang pioneered the first minimally invasive tongue suture surgery in Asia. He is a reviewer for the prestigious ENT journal, the Laryngoscope, the Singapore Medical Journal and the Canadian Medical Journal.
In 1993, Dr Pang was awarded the Pathology Distinction and Margaret Ling Ming Yee Award. He was the first prize recipient of the Young ENT Investigator's Award at the Annual ENT Society Meeting in 2002.
In 2003, he received the Dr Lily Neo/People's Association Appreciation Award.
The following year, Dr Pang received the Ministry of Health, Overseas Specialty Training Program Award. He was under the HMDP, Sleep Surgery Fellowship, under the Mentorship of Professor D.J. Terris, Medical College Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America.
In May 2006, he was awarded the Service Excellence, Star Award, in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Dr Kenny Pang graduated in 1994 from the Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He attained his Fellowship exams from both the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and Ireland in 1999 and 2002 respectively.
He also passed his Masters of Medicine (Otorhinolaryngology) in 2001. Dr Pang completed 6 years of ear, nose and throat surgical training, and was accredited as an ENT surgeon/specialist in 2004.
Dr Pang completed a year of sleep surgery and sleep medicine fellowship in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Georgia Sleep Centre, Medical College of Georgia, United States of America.
He is well trained in treating all forms of sleep disorders, including snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep walking, night terrors, bed wetting, and parasomnias.
Dr Pang is a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Surgical Modification Task Force. He has published over 25 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and written over 10 chapters in the various American textbooks. He has also been invited as a speaker in the various sleep surgery courses both regionally and in America.
He was the course director for Asia’s first ever sleep surgery course in November 2006. He was the key investigator in a multi-centre trial investigating a new minimally invasive technique for the treatment of OSA. He has also introduced a new modified surgical technique in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.
Dr Pang pioneered the first minimally invasive tongue suture surgery in Asia. He is a reviewer for the prestigious ENT journal, the Laryngoscope, the Singapore Medical Journal and the Canadian Medical Journal.
In 1993, Dr Pang was awarded the Pathology Distinction and Margaret Ling Ming Yee Award. He was the first prize recipient of the Young ENT Investigator's Award at the Annual ENT Society Meeting in 2002.
In 2003, he received the Dr Lily Neo/People's Association Appreciation Award.
The following year, Dr Pang received the Ministry of Health, Overseas Specialty Training Program Award. He was under the HMDP, Sleep Surgery Fellowship, under the Mentorship of Professor D.J. Terris, Medical College Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America.
In May 2006, he was awarded the Service Excellence, Star Award, in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Are you Bedwetting?
Most children begin to stay dry at night around three years of age. When a child has a problem with bedwetting (enuresis) after that age, parents may become concerned.
Physicians stress that enuresis is not a disease, but a symptom, and a fairly common one. Occasional accidents may occur, particularly when the child is ill. Here are some facts about bedwetting:
Approximately 15 percent of children wet the bed after the age of three
1.Many more boys than girls wet their beds
2.Bedwetting runs in families
3.Usually bedwetting stops by puberty
4.Most bed-wetters do not have emotional problems
5.Some believe bed wetting may to related to stress
Rarely, persistent bedwetting beyond the age of three or four may be due to a kidney or bladder problem. Bedwetting may sometimes be related to a sleep disorder. In most cases, it is due to the development of the child's bladder control being slower than normal. Bedwetting may also be the result of the child's tensions and emotions that require attention.
Find more on www.drkennypang.com
Physicians stress that enuresis is not a disease, but a symptom, and a fairly common one. Occasional accidents may occur, particularly when the child is ill. Here are some facts about bedwetting:
Approximately 15 percent of children wet the bed after the age of three
1.Many more boys than girls wet their beds
2.Bedwetting runs in families
3.Usually bedwetting stops by puberty
4.Most bed-wetters do not have emotional problems
5.Some believe bed wetting may to related to stress
Rarely, persistent bedwetting beyond the age of three or four may be due to a kidney or bladder problem. Bedwetting may sometimes be related to a sleep disorder. In most cases, it is due to the development of the child's bladder control being slower than normal. Bedwetting may also be the result of the child's tensions and emotions that require attention.
Find more on www.drkennypang.com
Monday, May 7, 2012
PRESIDENT, ASEAN SLEEP SURGICAL SOCIETY
Dr Kenny Pang is the Founder and President of the ASEAN Sleep Surgical Society which is an interest group comprised of ENT / Dental / Respiratory and Sleep Specialists from the Region & USA. www.ASEANSleepSurgicalSociety.com
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Dr Kenny Pang - The Night Terrors
Night terrors are common in young children. These children often wake up crying and screaming, eyes wide open, with a look of fear and panic. Although it will seem like they are awake, the children will be inconsolable and might not recognize you. Parents are usually very disturbed and alarmed by the episodes.
Typical night terrors last about 5 to 30 minutes and afterwards, children usually return back to sleep. If you are able to wake your child up during a night terror, he is likely to become scared and agitated, mostly because of your own reaction to the night terror, especially if you were shaking or yelling at him to wake up. Instead of trying to wake up a child having a night terror, it is usually better to just make sure he is safe, comfort him if you can, and help him return to sleep once it is over.
The child often cannot recall the event and unlike nightmares, sleep terrors are not associated with vivid dreams or nightmares that are remembered upon awakening.
www.drkennypang.com
Typical night terrors last about 5 to 30 minutes and afterwards, children usually return back to sleep. If you are able to wake your child up during a night terror, he is likely to become scared and agitated, mostly because of your own reaction to the night terror, especially if you were shaking or yelling at him to wake up. Instead of trying to wake up a child having a night terror, it is usually better to just make sure he is safe, comfort him if you can, and help him return to sleep once it is over.
The child often cannot recall the event and unlike nightmares, sleep terrors are not associated with vivid dreams or nightmares that are remembered upon awakening.
www.drkennypang.com
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Dr Kenny Pang, The Author
Dr Pang is the author of Singapore’s “Handbook of ENT & Sleep Disorder”
Dr Pang has written over 10 chapters from various American ENT / Sleep textbooks
His new invention surgery (Pang’s Expansion Pharyngoplasty) was on the front cover of the prestigious American Journal “Operative Techniques in ENT & Head/Neck Surgery” December 2006.
Dr Pang has published over 29 research papers and clinical trials in the various International
Peer-Reviewed Journals
Geriatric Simple Snoring to Obstructive Sleep Apnea
by Kenny P. Pang, Amy Blanchard, David J. Terris
Surgical Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
by Kenny P. Pang, Amy Blanchard, David J. Terris
Chapter in Geriatric Otolaryngology textbook
Co-author Professor David Terris
Edited by Prof Mark Wax, 2006
published Chapters 39 and 41
Pillar Implant Technique, Kenny P. Pang, David J. Terris. Atlas of Sleep Surgery, 2006
Snoreplasty Technique, Kenny P. Pang, David J. Terris. Atlas of Sleep Surgery, 2006.
Multi-level Pharymgeal Surgery for Sleep Apnea, Kenny P. Pang, David J. Terris. Sleep Apnea Surgery. Edited by Michael Friedman. 2006
Lateral Pharyngoplasty, Kenny P. Pang. Operative Techniques in Sleep Surgery. B. Tucker Woodson. 2006
Dr Pang has written over 10 chapters from various American ENT / Sleep textbooks
His new invention surgery (Pang’s Expansion Pharyngoplasty) was on the front cover of the prestigious American Journal “Operative Techniques in ENT & Head/Neck Surgery” December 2006.
Dr Pang has published over 29 research papers and clinical trials in the various International
Peer-Reviewed Journals
Geriatric Simple Snoring to Obstructive Sleep Apnea
by Kenny P. Pang, Amy Blanchard, David J. Terris
Surgical Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
by Kenny P. Pang, Amy Blanchard, David J. Terris
Chapter in Geriatric Otolaryngology textbook
Co-author Professor David Terris
Edited by Prof Mark Wax, 2006
published Chapters 39 and 41
Pillar Implant Technique, Kenny P. Pang, David J. Terris. Atlas of Sleep Surgery, 2006
Snoreplasty Technique, Kenny P. Pang, David J. Terris. Atlas of Sleep Surgery, 2006.
Multi-level Pharymgeal Surgery for Sleep Apnea, Kenny P. Pang, David J. Terris. Sleep Apnea Surgery. Edited by Michael Friedman. 2006
Lateral Pharyngoplasty, Kenny P. Pang. Operative Techniques in Sleep Surgery. B. Tucker Woodson. 2006
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