If you have sleep apnea, you’re seven times more likely to
be in a car accident where fatigue is a factor. According to the National Sleep
Foundation, people with obstructive sleep
apnea are at a high risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
Drowsy Driving Prevention Week falls on November 2 through
November 9 this year. The campaign is a time to raise awareness about the
dangerous effect obstructive sleep apnea can have on driving ability, not to
mention the condition’s serious impact on overall health.
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea suffer poor quality
sleep due to interrupted oxygen flow. Sleep deprivation limits the focus and good
judgment skills that are essential to safe driving.
If you’re chronically tired, the safest decision is to pull
over should you find yourself doing the following behind the wheel:
·
Yawning
·
Daydreaming
·
Nodding your head and frequently closing your
eyes
·
Missing turns and exits
·
Following cars in front of you too closely
Sleep apnea can take a terrible toll over time, but a car
accident can lead to a host of serious injuries in a moment. If daytime fatigue
is endangering your ability to drive safely, it’s time to seek professional
help.
For more information on obstructive sleep apnea, please contact a qualified doctor in
your area or call 1 (866) 727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.