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OSA and Car Accidents
wp:paragraph If you think that your obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis has nothing to do with driving, think again. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Did you know that people with sleep apnea are twice as likely to be involved in a car accident? A lot of this has to do with the fact that so many people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed and untreated, and as a result they feel extremely tired during the day. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sleep deprivation is a cause of 100,000 car accidents each year. Your reaction time when you are sleepy is just as slow as if you were drunk. Scary, right? /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3551,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph Just last December, a Metro-North train in New York derailed, causing multiple injuries and four deaths. An investigation later revealed that the train engineer suffered from severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and had passed out at the time of the accident. His condition was, unfortunately undiagnosed at the time. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This is why it is important for you to be aware of your symptoms and seek medical help if you think you are suffering from sleep apnea. Some of the effects that being sleep deprived can have on your driving are: /wp:paragraph wp:list Impaired coordination Delayed reaction times Impaired judgement Impaired your memory and ability to retain information If you have trouble focusing on the road and/or if you keep b Repeatedly yawning and rubbing your eyes Trouble keeping your head up Drifting from lane to lane Feeling restless and irritable /wp:list wp:paragraph Driving when you are sleepy is never okay, and has many repercussions with it. Recognising the signs and symptoms and being aware of your symptoms is extremely important in a proper diagnosis. It could save your life, or somebody else’s. /wp:paragraph
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Sleep Apnea and the Middle Aged Man- What you need to know:
wp:paragraph Statistically, sleep apnea affects one in 25 middle aged men. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you find yourself in this age and gender category, it does not mean that you are doomed to get sleep apnea. It just means that you need to be more aware of your health. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It is also estimated that about 82% of men with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea are not diagnosed, simply because they do not know the signs and symptoms. There are many ways to be more aware of the symptoms of sleep apnea and also how to make you less of a risk for it. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You are at greater risk for obstructive sleep apnea… /wp:paragraph wp:list If you are a smoker If you consistently have high blood pressure If you have other risk factors for heart failure or stroke If you are overweight If you snore at night If the size of your neck is large If you have a family history of obstructive sleep apnea /wp:list wp:paragraph Most people who have sleep apnea don’t know that they have it. It is usually a family member or partner who realises that their loved one is at risk for sleep apnea. This is why so many people with this condition go undiagnosed. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In order to lessen the risk of sleep apnea, some lifestyle changes you may want to think about making include: /wp:paragraph wp:list Staying active and attempting to lose weight through a healthy diet and exercise program Cutting back on alcohol, smoking and other medicines that make you sleepy Sleeping on your side, instead of your back, in order to keep your airway open /wp:list wp:paragraph Most importantly, be vigilant. If you experience excessive drowsiness during the day or if you exhibit any other symptoms of sleep apnea, consult with your doctor. If you receive a sleep apnea diagnosis, don’t wait to take action. Find a CPAP and mask that fits well and work to integrate it into your daily life. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Dad’s snoring keeping you up? Give Dad a PapSmart Gift Card this Father’s Day Buy a Gift Card Now! /wp:paragraph
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