Rescue personnel dedicate their lives to saving people who
are in danger. But who protects these heroes from the toll the job takes on
their physical and mental health? Recent research reveals that nearly 40% of firefighters
suffer from sleep
apnea or another type of sleep disorder.
These conditions are serious, but that’s not even the worst
news. TIME reports that the prevalence of sleep apnea could be linked to the
high incidence among firefighters of heart attacks and car accidents, which
together represent the majority causes of death within the profession.
An increased risk of heart attack is one of the most serious
complications of sleep apnea. The condition also causes extreme fatigue and
poor focus, which could account for the high risk of auto collisions.
The TIME article identified other complications firefighters
with one or more sleep disorders are at risk for – all of which have been
linked to sleep apnea. These include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Mental and emotional health disruptions, including depression and anxiety
Perhaps most alarming of all, 80% of the firefighters who
exhibited signs of apnea or other conditions had not been diagnosed or treated
for the problem. No matter your age or occupation, sleep apnea needs to be
caught and treated early to diminish the impact on your health.
To learn more about sleep apnea, please contact an experienced doctor
in your area or call 1 (866) 727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.