The most recent data collected by the Centers for Disease
Control estimate that 5,000 to 6,000 fatal auto accidents are caused by driver
fatigue each year. With daytime fatigue a major symptom of sleep
apnea, it’s important for people at risk of falling asleep at the wheel to
seek treatment for their own safety, not to mention the safety of other drivers and pedestrians.
Even after a full night’s rest, many sleep apnea patients
complain of feeling tired throughout the day. While this can lead to
sluggishness and difficulty focusing on routine tasks, exhaustion and operating
a car are a dangerous mix.
Lack of sleep can affect driving in the following ways:
- Diminished attention to road conditions and traffic
- Reaction times become longer
- Sound judgment and decision making become more difficult
Studies have shown that being awake for 24 hours straight
has the same impact on the body as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .10.
Every state in the country has implemented laws making it illegal to drive with
a BAC of .08.
Though sleep apnea patients aren’t entirely deprived of
sleep, the regular interruptions to breathing can cause a sufferer to wake up
sometimes hundreds of times a night. Cumulatively, the loss of sleep can lead
to a variety of health problems.
If you suffer from sleep apnea symptoms, you could be
putting yourself and other people at risk when you’re on the road. Contact a qualified sleep
physician in your area today, or call 1-866-727-6275
(1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) for more
information.