Among the more than 80 different types of sleep disorders that, if neglected, can be fatal is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea’s name means “without breath” in Ancient Greek, highlighting its potential danger as a sleep disorder. It’s a sleep disorder that affects up to 35% of truck drivers but only four percent of the general population overall. Before we go into more detail, let us clear up a few misunderstandings and lay out some facts. If you are injured in a truck accident, contact RSH Legal – Iowa Personal Injury Lawyers.
How can sleep apnea increase the risk of accidents among truck drivers?
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA)- It occurs when your brain fails to convey the muscles that regulate breathing effectively.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA)- It is a condition in which your palate and throat muscles collapse and relax while you sleep, blocking your airway.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CSAS)- It occurs when a person has both central and obstructive sleep apnea.
Symptoms
If you gasp for breath while you sleep, snort loudly, or feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Other signs and symptoms include:
- Morning headaches
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Irritability
- Depression
- Poor memory
- Attention issues
- Daytime sleepiness
- Self-medication dependency
- More serious symptoms like heart attacks and strokes
- Difficulty staying asleep
Accident risk
Truckers often face Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), affecting their rest and driving focus. OSA interrupts breathing, leading to oxygen deprivation, hypertension, and heart disease. It also disrupts deep and dream sleep, impacting physical and mental well-being.
While spending up to 10 hours in bed, truckers with OSA actually get very little sound sleep since their breathing is often disturbed. When breathing is disrupted, fragmented sleep causes up to a 250% higher risk of accidents compared to well-rested drivers.
Speak to a lawyer today!
If you are involved into a truck accident, make sure to speak to an experienced truck accident lawyer today.
